The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Eight, under regional Director Nestor Ramos, has recently called on 20 camp managers of Tacloban to a one – day orientation, as supplemental feeding for pre – schoolers in bunkhouses is set to start before the year ends. Similarly, the regular Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP) of the DSWD in local government unit (LGU) – run day care centers will take off in this city this year.

Pauline Nadera, the regional focal person for the SFP, bared that more than eight million pesos were allotted from the donation fund, for the feeding of aged one-to-five-year-old children of three bunkhouses in Tacloban, two of Ormoc, and another two bunkhouses of Palo. There will be a total of 750 children who will benefit from the feeding program which runs for 120 days.

Nadera revealed that the objective of the program is to prevent children, who are at risk of malnutrition, from falling into the said state. She emphasized that mothers should still provide their children regular meals because the once-a-day hot meal is just an augmentation to ensure that kids will have the proper nutrients needed for their bodies.

Meanwhile, Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Gloria Fabregas, reported that her office is still re-validating as to the target day care children for the regular SF in the locality. She came with such report during a brief meeting with the DSWD late last week.

Fabregas said that out of the 67 day care centers in the city, there are some 44 facilities existing. “We will be including our 10 Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) that we have set up in the city, “ she added.

CFSs are usually set up after an emergency to serve as temporary support for the protection and care of children.

The DSWD has released some Php 5.4 M for 3, 600 pre-schoolers of Tacloban before super typhoon Yolanda hit the region. #