On 14 September 2021, the Department of Education Regional Office (DepEd RO) III, spearheaded the very first Search for the Most Outstanding School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) Implementers for SY 2020-2021 via zoom platform.

The Search aimed to recognize the achievements of field implementers who relentlessly pursued and supported the government’s call to provide critical resources needed by the learners especially at the time that the global pandemic immobilized the world.

The Search was conducted online by the Regional Evaluating Team composed of Dr. Leonardo Zapanta, Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Leoncio Del Corro, Dentist III, Ms. Angelina Manio, Account III of DepEd Regional Office III, Ms. Crisel Pantalunan, Nutritionist-Dietitian III of DepEd and Ms. Rose Anne M. Cuyco, Nutrition Officer II of the NNC Region III.

The screening and evaluation were conducted via online platform in lieu of the actual school visit as the present COVID 19 pandemic prohibits the face-to-face school visit. School personalities who were interviewed during the screening were the school heads, school feeding coordinators, SGOD Chief, and SDO Focal Persons.

For a school to be nominated as the DepEd’s regional representative, it should generate an average score of 30%. The nominee was also requested to submit their copies of the SDO and Regional Level Evaluation Sheets, documentation report of the school’s implementation and a video documentation of the interview of the DepEd Regional Office III Focal Person.

From among the 21 SBFP in Central Luzon, only six (6) SBFP implementers emerged as finalists, namely: Abelardo Elementary School, Mabiga Elementary School, San Luis Elementary School, San Jose Patag Elementary School, San Rafael BBH Elementary School and Zambales Central Elementary School. Winners were recognized during the Awarding Ceremony for the Search for the Most outstanding Implementer of School-Based Feeding Program and Recognition of 3 Star Approach for 3 Consecutive Years held on 29 December 2021 via zoom application. San Rafael BBH Elementary School, School Division of San Jose Del Monte was Central Luzon’s regional entry for the Search.

In recent years, the DepEd has been continually assessing and improving its policies, implementation strategies and operational guidelines to better ensure that the SBFP attains its objectives. Program evaluation and review had proven that through the SBFP, the undernourished learner-beneficiaries had improved their nutritional status, were observed to have better class participation, exhibited positive health habits, and increased in their school attendance. 

It was also noted that the SBFP appeared to work best when complemented with other School Health Programs such as deworming, micronutrient supplementation, Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) and WASH in schools (WinS) Program. These programs are primarily aimed at ensuring that children are ready to learn and thrive in a healthy school environment that allows them to develop health-promoting habits and behaviors for a healthier future generation.

The implementation of SBFP showcased not only the improvement in nutritional status of undernourished children, but also highlighted some of the best practices such as collaboration and partnership with various stakeholders. The continuing assessment and review in the implementation of the program enabled the management to draw out operational strategies that maximize the cooperation and support of stakeholders.

The implementation of SBFP in 2010 showed the steadfast commitment of the DepEd to address undernutrition among public school children. With the Bureau of Learner Support Services–School Health Division at the helm, the SBFP concretely demonstrated that the nutritional status of the learners is directly related to their capacity to learn and to maximize their full educational potential.

Author: Rose Anne M. Cuyco, Nutrition Officer II