
DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 25, 2012) – Hundreds of students benefited from a four-month feeding program sponsored by the Kiwanis International of Gilden Tagum in coordination with the Department of Education and the Philippine Army in Davao Oriental province in Mindanao.
The 28th Infantry Battalion said a total of 989 students took part in the program. Those who participated were from elementary schools of Dawan, Danao, Sanghay, Libudon, Cabuaya, Luban and Langca, all of Mati City; and Dugmanon, Lapu-Lapu and Maag all of San Isidro town and Lavigan, Tagabebe, Pundaguitan, Tandang Sora and Anitap in Governor Generoso town.
Jeffrey Mataro, president of the Kiwanis International Golden Tagum, said addressing the malnutrition problem as early as during pre-school will make a huge change in the performance of a child.
“This feeding program is only supplementary to what the parents feed their child, and this will not sustain without your (parents) commitment in providing the right nutrition to your child,” he said in a statement sent by the army to the Mindanao Examiner.
Lt. Col. Francisco Lorenzo, Jr. said they would continue to support various humanitarian programs of the Education department and the Kiwanis. “We assure all stakeholders of the continuous support of the Philippine Army to activities that will promote peace and development like the feeding program which aims to have healthier and dependable youths,” he said.