By Sabcee Garcia
Posted 7 December 2011
KPMFI’s “Batang Himsog In-School Feeding Program,” now in tandem with the Jollibee Foundation’s Busog-Lusog-Talino (BLT) Program, has continued to benefit more children from public elementary schools in Misamis Oriental. This program, which aims to address hunger and malnutrition in public school children, is in partnership with the Department of Education, Local Government Units, and the respective association of Parents and Teachers.
The Busog-Lusog-Talino, shortly known as BLT, provides 136 days daily lunch feeding to 40 grade 1 and 2 pupils in every recipient school. In Misamis Oriental, there are 16 school partners, particularly in the municipalities of Magsaysay and Claveria, for a total of 868 public school children. Eleven of the school are now on their second year of implementation and five are still on their first year.
Jollibee Foundation encourages sharing of resources for the sustainability of the program. On the first year of implementation, Jollibee Foundation provides full funding support to the daily feeding which means Php11 per child. On the second year, 50 percent of the support should come from the Local Government Unit and, on the third year, 75 percent is expected from the LGU; the rest is shouldered by Jollibee Foundation. In Claveria, the LGU committed to provide the rice counterpart directly to the recipient schools. In Magsaysay, the LGU committed to download their fund support to KPMFI.
Build-a-classroom project
The Build-a-classroom project is a concerted effort of the Jollibee Foundation to help pupils stay in school and learn better by providing additional classrooms, especially for the primary grades. Barangay Lanise in Claveria and Barangay San Vicente in Magsaysay are fortunate to have availed of the Build-a-classroom project. The Foundation partners with public and private sectors in the local communities to ensure better health and nutrition among public schoolchildren nationwide.
“This is an answered prayer” said Mrs Flor Gadrinab, the principal of Lanise Elementary School, who have hoped for another classroom for her pupils.
With more and more individuals and institutions joining the fundraising, more pupils will have better nourishment and more public elementary schools improved and equipped.