NFA Aklan

NFA Aklan Holds Orientation On Food
For School Program II

By: Judith T. Tindog

An orientation about the implementation of the DepEd – NFA Memorandum of Agreement on Food For School Program II was recently conducted by the local NFA office. The orientation was held in the NFA Aklan Training Center, Linabuan Sur, Banga, Aklan. Mgr. Pablito G. Gemarino warmly welcomed everyone. He gave the background of the program.
Participants were DepEd officials identified in schools located in the 5th class municipalities of Aklan like Lezo, Tangalan and Buruanga. Ms. Evelyn Y. Rogan, Division Nurse Coordinator – Aklan/Nurse In Charge and Mary Jean Arsenio, Division Nutrition Coordinator/Public Health Nurse I were also present.
The DepEd spearheads the Food for School Program II. It is a package of comprehensive and immediate intervention for Grade – I pupils and pre-schoolers and their families. It includes provision of food assistance through the distribution of one (1) kilogram of rice in exchange for their attendance to school and at the same time conducts values formation activities and productivity skills training to their parents. The program aims to develop and empower the poor Filipino families to rise to a desired level of well being through provision of development support and interventions.
In Aklan, the target beneficiaries are the Grade – 1 and pre-schoolers presently enrolled at Agcawilan-Silakat Nonok Elementary School (ES), Uldario P. Custodio ES, Tayhawan ES, all in Lezo, Aklan; Tangalan ES, Tamalagon ES, Vivo ES, Pudiot ES, Jawili ES, Baybay ES, Dapdap ES, Tagas ES, Panayakan ES, Tondog Primary School (PS), Dumatad PS, Afga PS, Bungsod PS, Lanipga-Napataag PS all in Tangalan, Aklan; Santander ES, Habana ES, Alegria ES all in Buruanga, Aklan. The total enrollees in Grade-1 reached to 937 pupils while pre-schoolers reached to 427 pupils or 1,364 in all. A family with children all qualified for the program shall be limited to one beneficiary only.
Mgr. Gemarino assured the continuous supply of good quality of IFR/WMR repacked in one (1) kilogram based on the number of beneficiaries for a period of 90 school days.
Delivery of the rice requirement is assured to the school representatives. With the readiness of the NFA, the schedule of the initial delivery in November 2005 was made possible.
Assistance and coordination with DepEd from time to time will be done on the progress and problems encountered in the implementation of the program. Billing, payment and reconciliation between DepEd and NFA is on a monthly basis. /MP