The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), successfully served 68,158 children in 2025, surpassing its target of 63,023 by 108.2 percent. This achievement underscores the Field Office’s commitment to ending hunger and improving child nutrition, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger.

In a pioneering effort, DSWD Caraga became the first Field Office in the country to introduce backyard gardening in Child Development Centers (CDCs) under the SFP. Through the Caraga-wide Bayanihan Gardening initiative, 56 CDCs developed backyard gardens, where parents were trained to grow vegetables and fruits, helping supplement their children’s meals at home while promoting nutrition, food security, and sustainable practices within the community.

“Backyard gardening is more than just planting vegetables; it is about empowering parents with skills to improve their family’s nutrition and promote food security in their communities. By involving parents, we ensure that the benefits of the program extend beyond the CDCs and directly impact households,” said Ms. Lea Alegarbes, ND III, SFP Regional Program Head.

The Field Office also conducted resource lobbying for nutrition-sensitive interventions, resulting in 37 CDCs developing improved WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for children alongside the feeding program.

Furthermore, DSWD Caraga SFP intensified its IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) campaign in 2025, focusing on nutrition education and actively involving parents. SFP Project Development Officers (PDOs) and Nutrition Dietitians (NDs) work together on the ground—PDOs monitor feeding sessions. In contrast, NDs gather parents for nutrition education sessions, imparting practical knowledge on healthy diets and meal preparation that families can apply at home.

DSWD Caraga also extended its sincere gratitude to local government units and barangay officials for supporting program implementation. Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga added, “At the end of the day, this program is for the community. The success of the SFP and backyard gardening initiatives would not be possible without the active participation and support of our LGUs and barangays.”

Through these initiatives, DSWD Caraga continues to address immediate nutritional needs while promoting holistic family development, reinforcing its leadership in innovative, community-based approaches to child health and food security.