Gadon to launch anti-hunger program

MANILA, Philippines — To address malnutrition in the country, newly appointed presidential adviser on poverty alleviation Larry Gadon will seek the support of the private sector for the government’s anti-hunger program dubbed “BBM” or “Batang Busog Malusog.”

Speaking at a televised public briefing yesterday, Gadon said the BBM program aims to address malnutrition among public elementary school students.

He cited a study attributing the students’ poor performance to lack of nutrition or hunger.

“Therefore, one of the first things we will do this July, which is Nutrition Month, is to launch the Batang Busog Malusog movement. If children have good nutrition they can focus on their studies,” Gadon said in Filipino.

BBM is also Presidential Marcos’ initials.

Gadon said he would encourage big companies to adopt schools in their locations as beneficiaries of the feeding program.

“We’ll ask them to make feeding program a part of their CSR (corporate social responsibility),” he said.

Meanwhile, Gadon said he would also focus on strengthening micro-industries to provide jobs for the poor.

He said China and Taiwan have provided jobs to their residents through small industries.

“My idea is to have micro-industries, similar to the pattern in China and Taiwan where they have a number of micro-industries scattered in their communities that employ 50 to 100 personnel,” Gadon said.

Gadon will work closely with government agencies, non-government organizations and other stakeholders to design and implement comprehensive programs to address the root causes of poverty, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement on Monday.

“His experience as a corporate executive and legal counsel in diverse sectors, including manufacturing, information technology, realty development, health care, resorts and hotels, construction and trading will contribute to the formulation of innovative and sustainable poverty alleviation strategies,” the PCO said.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier said stunting among ages zero to 23 months old is 21.6 percent, and 28.7 percent among children under five years old, citing data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

Malnutrition among children in daycare facilities is pegged at 20 percent, Herbosa said.

Marcos recently approved the pilot testing of the food stamp program intended for one million poor families as part of the administration’s efforts to address poverty, malnutrition and hunger.

The program will be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development through grants from the Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the French Development Agency.

Gadon ran for senator in the May 2022 elections under Marcos’ UniTeam.

The Gabriela party-list criticized Gadon’s appointment, branding it as a “clownish approach” in addressing poverty and hunger.

Last year, the Supreme Court suspended Gadon for maligning and verbally assaulting a female journalist.