BuCor kicks off year-round feeding program for students
THE Bureau of Corrections kicked off its year-round feeding program for the more than 105 wasted and severely wasted students of Itaas Elementary Schools (IES) in Muntinlupa City.
Dubbed as “Batang Busog Malusog”, the program aims to help wasted students to fully recover from their current situation.
Data provided by Ms. Rhodora Mandap, IES principal, revealed there are more than 100 pupils in IES who are underweight and malnourished, but they categorized them as wasted and severely wasted.
Child wasting, defined as low weight for height by UNICEF is the most dangerous form of undernutrition and severe wasting is the most lethal form of undernutrition and one of the top threats to child survival as severely wasted children are 12 times more likely to die than a well-nourished child.
Bucor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. who was not able to attend the program due to his prior arrangement, was represented by CTSupt. Dorothy C. Bernabe Acting Director, Directorate for Reformation at this event.
In his message sent to Mandap, Catapang disclosed that the feeding program will be done every Friday for the whole school year and this is only the beginning of the BuCor’s corporate social responsibility.
Catapang said that he will make sure of the success of this program by enlisting the help of volunteer doctors and dietitians to monitor the progress of the students under the program.
We have to protect vulnerable children since severe cases can lead to death or permanent damage to children’s growth and development, Catapang said.
Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal once said “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan pero paanong mangyayari yon kung ang ating kabataan ay kulang sa nutrition,” Catapang added.
The Bucor staff also gave out vitamins to students.
The funds for the program came from proceeds of the 1st BUCOR CUP shoot for a cause which was able to raise close to P500,000.