Program launched to make Sarangani school kids “well fed, healthy and smart”

By COCOY SEXCION

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 19, 2011) - The number one food chain in the country has partnered with a local foundation in feeding 200 undernourished pupils in Sarangani as BUSOG LAKAS TALINO (Well Fed, Healthy and Smart) in-school feeding program is launched Monday, July 18.

“We are very lucky to be the recipient of this BUSOG LUSOG TALINO feeding program. That’s why I am extending my heartfelt thanks to Jollibee Foundation and Alcantara Foundation for sponsoring this feeding program,” said Linda Narte, barangay captain of Kalaong, in her welcome address.

Jollibee Foods Corporation, through its foundation in partnership with Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc. (CLAFI), Department of Education Sarangani division, Maitum municipal government, Sarangani provincial government through its QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) program and Sarangani Energy Corporation opened the BUSOG LUSOG TALINO (BLT) feeding program at Perrett Elementary School in barangay Kalaong.

Two hundred or 40 pupils per school from Grades 1 and 2 who fall below the normal weight-for-age from Upo, Lumotan, Mindupok, Reganit and Perrett elementary schools were the beneficiaries. The five schools belong to Maitum west district.

“The reality is for every 100 students who entered Grade 1, only 40 will end up finishing high school. Twenty of the 60 dropped out before reaching 3rd grade due to hunger and undernourishment. Jollibee Foods Corporation responds to the above reality through our in-school feeding program. BLT (BUSOG LUSOG TALINO) provides lunch for undernourished Grades 1 and 2 pupils to address their hunger and help them to stay in school by keeping them fit and healthy,” Jollibee area manager Othello Real said.

BLT provides daily lunch to Grades 1 and 2 pupils with below weight-for-age for 136 days during the school year (July-March). The budget is P11 per meal per child or P1,500 per child for the entire feeding program.

BLT started four years ago and about 13,000 pupils have benefited from the program. “We have seen encouraging result at eight out of 10 undernourished pupils improved stamina and attained their normal status after the eight-month feeding cycle,” Real added.

“Our municipality is the farthest place in Sarangani. That is why we are very lucky today because Jollibee visited us and brought food for you,” Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett told the pupils. She also addressed parents to be united to give a good future to their children.

The meals are prepared by the parents following low-cost but nutritious menus developed by Jollibee Foundation. The parents also attended seminars on food safety, health and nutrition organized by local implementor partners including local government units.

Meanwhile, CLAFI executive director Richlie Lyndon Magtulis appealed to the barangay captains of recipient barangays to give also their counterparts for the program.

On the other hand, Perrett Elementary School principal Marlen Napila along with the officers and members of Parents Teachers and Community Association (PTCA) initiated the construction of a feeding center as their counterpart for the program.

“The materials for construction of the feeding center are from our SBRMS (School-based repair and maintenance scheme). The PTCA’s counterpart are the labor and contributed paints,” Napila said. “Hopefully the construction will be completed within this week.” (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)