Recognizing the importance of good nutrition and provision of livelihood assistance in this time of pandemic, the city government of Malabon tapped their partner karinderias to provide healthy meals for COVID-19 patients confined in isolation areas.
To date, the city government of Malabon operates five (5) isolation facilities to prevent the spread of the virus and to provide quality health care to those affected individuals. Affected individuals are given vitamins and grocery packs before going inside the isolation area.
Aside from quality health care, vitamins, and grocery packs, patients must be given nutritious food ration to boost their immune system for immediate recovery. Prioritizing the health and nutrition of COVID-19 patients, Honorable City Mayor Antolin A. Oreta III, through the City Nutrition Office, tapped their karinderia partners involved in the Karinderia para sa Kalusugan ni Chikiting (KKC) Project to serve nutritious meals in isolation areas.
Mayor Oreta named this special project as Karinderia sa Panahon ng Pandemya. The project aims to provide financial assistance to KKC partners since their livelihood was also affected by the pandemic while providing quality nutritious food for COVID-19 patients in isolation areas. The mobilization of KKC partners is also included in the city’s Nutrition in Emergencies Plan institutionalizing the strategy of providing hot meals as part of their emergency response.
A total of 56 active KKC partners were contracted for this project. There are 11 KKC partners or karinderia owners operating weekly to provide healthy meals to their assigned isolation facility. Cycle menus are provided by the City Nutrition Office. Quality standards in preparing and cooking food are strictly followed to ensure good quality of service. The city nutritionist-dietitians regularly spot check the cooking areas to ensure food safety. Regular meetings with KKC partners are conducted as part of monitoring, sustain their motivation and encourage them to continually improve their service.
Mayor Oreta said in a Facebook post, “Bawat isang partner karinderia ay na-orient at ginagabayan ng ating Nutrition Team upang siguruhin na masustansya at malinis ang kanilang inihahandang pagkain”. “Nakakapagbigay na tayo ng mga masusustansyang pagkain sa ating mga kababayan, nagkaroon pa ng dagdag kabuhayan ang ating partner karinderias,” Mayor Oreta added.
The project started on April 26, 2021 and will operate as long as there are COVID-19 patients in isolation facilities. Partner karinderias pledged their support to the project by providing quality and nutritious meals to help patients recover immediately from COVID-19.
Written by: Mr. Fidel Baltazar P. dela Cruz (Nutritionist-Dietitian II, Malabon City)
Edited by: NOII Theresa A. Rivas and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
