SENATOR Imee Marcos has called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development to submit a full report on the implementation of its supplemental feeding program for learners in the Day Care system.

The program, which provides meals for learners aged 3 to 5 for 180 days, aims to improve their nutritional status. However, Marcos expressed concerns about the program’s effectiveness, particularly in addressing malnutrition.

“There is no clear data on the program’s impact on height or weight,” Marcos said. “After 120 days, many children are still underweight. From my experience with a similar program, it doesn’t always work.”

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian responded that local government reports show a decrease in the number of severely malnourished children. Gatchalian promised to furnish the Senate committee with data on the matter.

The program was intended for learners 3 to 5 years of age.

“There is no mention of the final result of feeding. Ano effect sa height, weight if it is successful. Hirap ng supplemental feeding as it does not work a great deal of the time. After 120 days underweight pa rin ang bata. Alam ko di pa talaga nagwowork eh. Nagfeeding program ako ng nutri bun, hindi nagsu-succeed agad. 120 days is not sufficient,” the lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that based on reports submitted by local government units, the number of severely wasted learners decreased due to the implementation of the program.

“Bago kayo mag-release ng pera ulit sa LGU dapat may closure report sila ano nangyari sa bata,” Marcos said.

“We can furnish the committee a copy of the results measurement, head circumference, height, weight, and BMI,” Gatchalian answered.

“Given the state of malnutrition in the country it is not working. I’m not blaming you, we need to get our act together with the DOH, and DepEd. Our nutrition program is not working,” Marcos stressed.