An Evaluation of the Feeding Program in Barangay Halang, Amadeo, Cavite

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

When children under five are experiencing malnutrition, they are likely to carry this over to early childhood, which has effects on learning achievements in school. In line with this, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Bank have jointed estimates on child malnutrition using three indicators: underweight, wasted or stunted. (J. Albert, 2015). To address the issue of child malnutrition, the implementation of a feeding program that provides people free nutritious meals to reduce the rate of malnutrition became a major solution to this matter. Feeding programs alleviate hunger, enhances nutrition, and supports healthy child and family development. (P. Williams et al., 2003) The present study was conducted to evaluate the supplementary feeding program of Barangay Halang, Amadeo, Cavite in terms of their management, budgeting and effect to their beneficiaries. This will provide people the knowledge on how the feeding program works and awareness about the current situation of the activity in Barangay Halang, Amadeo, Cavite.

METHODS

This is a qualitative research. Data was gathered by conducting interviews with nine (9) mothers and one (1) grandfather of day care children which were underweight before the program. Another interview was conducted with one (1) Child Development Worker in-charge of the feeding program of Brgy. Halang, Amadeo, Cavite.

RESULTS

The study was conducted to improve the health of the day care children, specifically their height and weight. The budget per child is Php 15.00 for 120 days during weekdays. It is allotted for their lunch including tinola, sinigang, sopas, goto and sotanghon. The beneficiaries ages are from 3 to 4 years old consisting of five (5) males and five (5) females with average weights between 9 to 18 kilograms before the program. After 120 days, their weight improved ranging from 11 to 21 kilograms. Also, the beneficiaries' height of 62 to 100 cm became 90 to 118 cm after the program. It was concluded that the feeding program in Barangay Halang, Amadeo, Cavite is a successful program.

DISCUSSIONS

The evaluation of the feeding program in Barangay, Halang, Amadeo, Cavite revealed a good outcome from 2018 up to the present. The organized management of the program led the children to have progress in their health. It was concluded that the feeding program is working well and successful.