Public schools told: Be extra careful in feeding programs

CEBU, Philippines —  Public schools in Central Visayas are reminded to be extra careful in their feeding programs by making sure that food and milk served to children are not spoiled or contaminated to avoid a similar incident in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental where at least a hundred children suffered from food poisoning.

Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd)-7, issued the reminder to all the school heads in the region after receiving reports of a possible food poising in Negros Oriental.

“Right after learning of the incident, nanawag dayon ta sa mga superintendents unya ato dayong gipamonitor and remind our superintendents to also remind our supervisors, school heads and teachers that if ever modawat sila aning mga fresh milk, ipa remind gyud ang mga ginikanan,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez told The Freeman that based on their monitoring all the students affected by the suspected food poisoning are already okay and have been discharged from the hospital.

Samples of the milk taken by the school children were brought here in Cebu for laboratory examination. According to Jimenez, this is the first incident of a possible food poisoning in DepEd’s feeding program under his watch.

Jimenez said some school officials have been requesting not to give fresh milk to the school children but fresh milk is allegedly required under the program.

“Naa man gud ni sa balaod nga dapat fresh milk gyud siya unya from a local supplier,” said Jimenez.

“Kaning sa fresh milk naa tay MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with the NDA, National Dairy Authority…Silay nangitag suppliers, ang kwarta gi-download sa ilaha, sila nay mag-procure unya igo na lang mo-receive ang DepEd sa fresh milk,” Jimenez added.

Aside from the fresh milk, the feeding program also includes some nutri-breads and porridge. Jimenez reiterated everything has to be double-checked and to follow the instruction and consumption period carefully.

“Kinahanglan e-check…mag-double lang gyud sa mga school heads hasta pud ang mga ginikanan dili lang kay automatic…Unya kinahanglan nga kung unsay ibutang na number of hours na kinahanglan ma consume, dili ihatag sa bata kung mo go beyond na,” said Jimenez. — FPL (FREEMAN)