THE LOCAL government of Mandaluyong City has launched their newest social program aimed at providing the youth with the necessary food and nutrients they need in growing up.

City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos said under ‘Oplan Dagdag-Timbang Balik Sigla Program’, undernourished children will be enrolled in the supplementary feeding program of the local government for six months with the primary purpose of increasing their weight, ensure that they receive the necessary nutrients their body needs, and boost their resistance against diseases.

The local government gave goodie bags and food supplements to its underweight children, pregnant women, children with disabilities, and elderly as part of its expanded effort to curb malnutrition and other nutrition deficiency ailments.

“Kabilang ito sa mga benepisyo na kanilang tinatanggap na bahagi sa pagdiriwang ng Nutrition Month ngayong Hulyo at alinsunod na rin sa Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition na naglalayong isulong ang sapat at wastong nutrisyon para sa lahat,” Abalos said.

The National Nutrition Council explained that the new PPAN sets directions for food and nutrition policies and strategies intended for various stakeholders and duty-bearers from the government, NGOs, development partners, academe, the private sector, and local government units, and focuses primarily on addressing all forms of malnutrition with particular attention to stunting and wasting, overweight and obesity, poor infant and young child feeding practices, and micronutrient deficiencies.