Infotextblast


Wednesday, July 27, 2016

NegOr LGUs urged to try Bayawan's healthy food products for feeding programs

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 27 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here is encouraging local government units in the province to avail of the nutritious food products produced by the DOST-assisted facility in Bayawan City.


DOST-Negros Oriental Provincial Director Roslyn Tambago, in a recent forum with the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO), said that DOST has helped establish a food processing facility in Barangay Nangka, Bayawan City in collaboration with the Nangka Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmer’s Association (NABEFA) and the city agriculture office. 

The facility produces rice-mongo food complementary food blends and snack curls rich with essential nutrients. 

“We are encouraging other LGUs to avail of this product for your feeding program. There are no preservatives,” Tambago said.

She said the Bayawan City government is already using this for their nutrition and feeding program in schools.

Each rice-mongo food blend and snack curls are priced at P5 per pack.

The projects is in line with the department's technology transfer strategy under the DOST-Package for the Improvement of Nutrition of Young Children (DOST-PINOY) program. 

Based on the latest National Nutrition Survey conducted in 2013, results show that from the age group 0 to 5 years old, around 20 percent are underweight, 30 percent are underweight or stunted, while 8 percent are thin or wasted.

Tambago said  these food blends are adopted in 15 areas nationwide and it has gained favorable results with 15 percent reduction in the underweight prevalence among 60 to 35 month old children in four provinces in the country.

Their goal, she said, is to create a demand for said food products among different LGUs and increase the production in the DOST-supported food processing facility.

Interested LGUs may coordinate with NABEFA Production Manager Jill Dela Cruz through 0905-849-8363 or Bayawan City Agriculture Office via telephone numbers 531-0513 or 430-0184. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)