Negros group sends meals for kids in quake-stricken Cotabato

Mingo meals from Negros Occidental reach the children at an evacuation center at Kisante Elementary School in Makilala, North Cotabato, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (Photo by Jessie Lachica / Contributor)

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines — The Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) delivered on Saturday 20,000 Mingo meals to children in Cotabato province, which was among the areas in Mindanao affected by a strong earthquake last week.

The Mingo meals were flown out from Negros Occidental.

Children who had evacuated to the Kisante Elementary School in Barangay Kisante, Makila town, North Cotabato were the first recipients of the Mingo meals, Millie Kilayko, NVC president, said.

Mingo, which is produced at the NVC factory in Bacolod City, is a nutritious instant complementary meal made of rice, mung beans (munggo) and moringa leaves (malunggay). It’s served to undernourished children all over the Philippines.

“We shouldered air cargo cost to ship the Mingo meals as soon as possible so help could get to the site soonest,” Kilayko said.

“We paid quite a steep amount for air freight because emergency relief means just that. Things have to move fast for help to reach the needy soonest. And we were willing to rent a van because hungry stomachs cannot wait for weekdays. Fortunately, we found a kind-hearted local who drove Mingo and our field officer all the way to the site,” Kilayko said.

In Bacolod City, the Mingo production staff voluntarily waived their overtime pay as their donation to the children of North Cotabato.

Those who wish to donate more Mingo meals for the children of North Cotabato may go to the NVC website: Negrense Volunteers for Change.

Mingo meals from Negros Occidental reach the children at an evacuation center at Kisante Elementary School in Makilala, North Cotabato, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (Photo by Jessie Lachica / Contributor)

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