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- Category: Region 8
As the coronavirus pandemic unexpectedly shifted our lives to a new normal where the entire world is increasingly practicing social distancing; employers give work-from-home directives; students are adjusting to the learn-from-home method of education—millions of Filipinos are staying at home more than they used to.
Today, dine-outs in fancy restaurants are replaced by hearty meals served at home. This is because more and more Filipinos turn to home cooking to provide daily sustenance and nutrition to their families. Not only that, but home cooking also provides a great deal of comfort and entertainment especially if a family gets to prepare the meals together.
To Eunice Pedrosa, a mother of three kids, home cooking is more than just a basic necessity. Cooking for her kids has become her favorite pastime which gives her a sense of comfort. For her, cooking allows moms to express their profound love to their families by painstakingly preparing delicious and healthy foods to the table.
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- Category: Region 8
With the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, some basic medical commodities are already not available in the market. Maasin City was not spared from the much-needed alcohol being “out-of-stock”.
In response to this necessity, the city, in close coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the City Engineering Office, installed 13 handwashing sinks. These are installed in strategic places of the city such as the city hall and the fish, vegetables, meat, and dry market sections of the city’s public market.
Read more: Hand Washing Facilities to Fight COVID-19 Installed in Maasin City
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- Category: Region 8
TACLOBAN CITY (Ramil Uy, DOST) – It seems like Region 8's State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) joined the bandwagon of institutions confronting the deadly kiss of COVID-19. These universities have their own ways to be a significant part of the increasing fighters against the invisible enemies; some done relief operations, production of sanitizers and distributed it to front liners, face masks, plastic face shields, etc. But Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) in Tacloban City, through the leadership of President Dominador O. Aguirre, Jr., came up with ExCITE Drink. Using the DOST 8 - EVSU Eastern Visayas Food Innovation Center (EV-FIC), a group of the university's Food Technologists developed a drink that will boost human energy they called ExCITE Drink.
According to the experts behind the drink, ExCITE which also means ‘to increase or energize’ is a freshly made drink from edible plant sources to help boost the immune system. It is made from carrot extract, moringa and calamansi juice that are rich in Vitamin C, Potassium, Beta-carotene, Calcium, and Iron. It also contains trace amounts of Protein. Chilled to retain its freshness, ExCITE brings the necessary nutrients to combat possible infection coming from the environment. From an organic and natural source, ExCITE drink is best served when chilled and is consumed immediately.
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- Category: Region 8
Amidst COVID-19 pandemic and to avoid its massive spread, Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) of various Local Government Units across the country was implemented. Various barangays, municipalities, and cities in Eastern Visayas were not spared in the declaration of ECQ.
Implementing ECQ is a threat to food security which in turn threatens the nutritional status of the vulnerable population such as pregnant and lactating women, children 6-59 months, school children, women of reproductive age particularly teenagers, and the elderly. Local Government Units (LGUs) are mandated to provide food to its populace in times of emergencies such as the COVID-19. The same are not able to purchase enough food packs which usually consist of rice, sardines, and noodles, because of the ECQ. These food packs may not be able to provide enough nutrients among the vulnerable population mentioned.
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- Category: Region 8
In addition to the regular meal served at the table, a supplemental feeding program was launched on 12 March 2020 in Barangay Pinamanagan, Abuyog Leyte for the identified malnourished children 6-59 months, high-risk pregnant mothers and mothers with children 6-23 months.
The program was formally introduced on Thursday in the said barangay with the presence of the National Nutrition Council VIII, the Provincial Government of Leyte and the Local Government Unit of Abuyog. The said program was coordinated by the Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) of Leyte to its main benefactor, the Rise and Rebuild International Foundation with the aim of reducing the number of malnourished children in the area.
Read more: Vulnerable Groups to Receive Dietary Supplementation Program
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- Category: Region 8
TACLOBAN CITY (Roel Amazona, PNA) – Instead of giving out processed food to poor families displaced by the health crisis, the local government of Naval, Biliran distributed root crops and vegetables on top of rice ration.
On Tuesday, the town has started the distribution of food packs to indigent families and workers in the transport sector affected by movement restrictions. The food packs are intended for 8,500 families from 26 villages, said Mayor Gerard Espina in a phone interview on Wednesday. Each food pack contains locally-produced rice, camote (sweet potato), squash, ginger, and upo (bottle gourd). "We bought these crops from our local farmers as a way to help them earn. By giving out vegetables, we are helping boost the immunity of our vulnerable families," Espina said.
