The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga’s Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) has successfully completed its 14th program cycle in 2024 exceeding its target for hot meals and fully achieving its goal for fresh milk distribution among nutritionally at-risk children in the Caraga region. The program served 77,854 children with hot meals, representing 102.72% of its target, and provided fresh milk to 5,885 children, achieving 100% of its target.
“We are incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and the strong support from our Local Government Unit partners, which enabled us to surpass our meal target and reach every child targeted for milk supplementation,” said DSWS FO Caraga SFP Focal Person, Lea Alegarbes, ND III.
Despite these successes, the SFP faced challenges during implementation. A key concern is the current budget allocation of ₱15.00 per meal, which program implementers acknowledge may not be sufficient to achieve optimal weight gain and nutritional recovery for all children. Lengthy local procurement processes, often taking 3-5 months due to supplier availability and complex bidding procedures, also posed logistical hurdles. However, the DSWD Field Office Caraga SFP Unit worked closely with suppliers and LGUs to maximize available resources and minimize disruptions.
Looking ahead to 2025, the SFP is implementing significant improvements and launching new initiatives to enhance its impact and address these challenges. These efforts focus on four key areas:
Streamlining Procurement: To ensure timely implementation at the start of the school year in June, the procurement of goods for 2025 will transition to regional procurement, streamlining the purchasing process and reducing delays.
Enhancing Support Services: The program will strengthen its “WE CARE” initiative by hiring additional social workers. This expansion will broaden program coverage and improve referral systems, connecting families with essential extra services such as health check-ups, counseling, and parental skills training as part of a more comprehensive intervention plan.
A Holistic Approach to Nutrition: Recognizing that malnutrition is often rooted in complex social factors, the SFP will adopt a more integrated approach in 2025. This means combining nutrition-specific activities (like meal feeding) with nutrition-sensitive activities that address underlying issues such as poverty, limited access to education, and other social determinants of health. This holistic strategy aims to create a more supportive and nurturing environment for children’s growth and development.
“In line with the directive of Sec. Rex Gatchalian in addressing the root causes of malnutrition, we aim to create sustainable improvements in children’s health and well-being,” explained Alegarbes.
Furthmore, SFP is excited to introduce the following new community-based initiatives:
Community Organizing: This initiative will focus on empowering communities by strengthening backyard gardening practices and enhancing the skills of Day-care Service Parents Groups in promoting healthy nutrition at home.
Referrals: The program will establish stronger referral pathways to government offices and NGOs for medical interventions, such as deworming and micronutrient supplementation, and for livelihood and skills training opportunities for parents and caregivers.
Stakeholder Training: To ensure effective implementation of these new initiatives, the program will conduct comprehensive orientations and training for stakeholders, including local government officials, daycare workers, parents, and community volunteers.
The DSWD Field Office Caraga’s Supplementary Feeding Program is committed to a comprehensive, community-driven approach to combating malnutrition. By addressing both immediate nutritional needs and underlying social factors, the program aims to create sustainable improvements in the health and well-being of Caraga’s children. With the 2025 initiatives, the SFP is poised to make a significant and lasting difference in the region.
