OVP seeks to address malnutrition, hunger among students through food trucks

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Sunday said it will soon deploy three food trucks in several schools nationwide in a bid to address malnutrition and hunger problems among students.

In a statement, OVP Local Affairs and Special Programs Division chief Norman Baloro said that the “Kalusugan Food Trucks,” which will follow a 120-day feeding program menu, will be stationed in identified schools and institutions to help solve the nutritional challenges of children in communities.

The program will be implemented in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health, through the National Nutrition Council.

Vice President Sara Duterte is the concurrent Secretary of Education.

Baloro said that the three trucks “were lent to the OVP under a usufruct agreement until 2028.” Each of them will be deployed in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“We target nine schools in a year, three schools each in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, considering that 120 days is prescribed by National Nutrition Council,” he said.

The food trucks will also be used as mobile kitchens during calamities as part of the government’s disaster operations.

First 100 days

The OVP on Sunday also highlighted Duterte's other achievements in her first 100 days as the country’s second highest official.

Among these was her visit to Japan last month to represent the Philippines as the special envoy to the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

During the trip, she met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and visited the Minato Ward Shibahama Elementary School in Minato City.

Duterte also met officials from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “to exchange views on blended learning, values and skill formation, STEM education and COVID-response.”

The Vice president also traveled across the Philippines for other official engagements, implementation of OVP projects, and served as guest of honor in several local government activities.

She also helped strengthen diplomatic relations with other countries through courtesy calls with ambassadors from Australia, Italy, Ireland, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, the European Union, Qatar, India, and the United States.

Duterte also met with State Councilor and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 6, during which they discussed education and other priority areas of cooperation between the Philippines and China.

As Education Secretary, Duterte hosted the 2022 Flag Raising Ceremony and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Cultural Exhibition commemorating the 55th Founding Anniversary of the ASEAN at the DepEd office on August 8.

She also visited a number of schools during her out-of-town trips to personally evaluate situations at learning institutions. This initiative enabled teachers to discuss their education-related concerns with her. — DVM, GMA News