Nutribuns make a comeback in several Marikina schools

The iconic and infamous Nutribuns from the 1970s were brought back and were handed out in several elementary schools in Marikina to help improve the health and academic performance of the city's students.

According to a Tuesday report by Lei Alviz on GMA 7 news program 24 Oras, the city government initiated the revival of the bread, which was first developed by US nutritionists and agrarian experts during the late 1960s and early 1970s, to combat malnutrition among school-aged children.

"Nakita natin 'yung relasyon ngmalnutrition doon sa kanilang school performance. Kung may malnutrisyon o pagkagutom, ang atensyon ng bata ay nababawasan at ang kaniyang school performance ay bumabagsak o bumababa," said Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.

Kinder and Grade 1 students of six schools would be the beneficiaries of the city's Nutribun project pilot run.

These schools already have their own bakery called Nutri-Pan.

This latest version of the Nutribun is fortified with micronutrient-rich Malunggay and contains vitamins A, B-complex, C, calcium, and iron. The production cost of each bun was pegged at P5. 

Students will also be given fortified milk and other "nutribread"variants.

"Every 120 days, may assessment and evaluation na gagawin. Hindi lang sa kanilang health condition kundi doon sa kanilang school performance," explained Teodoro.

The city government said it plans to expand the coverage of the project and reach more students. — Dona Magsino/DVM, GMA News