In Bacolod, ‘nutrijuice’ offers nutrition to kids

At least 4,500 children here will receive nutritious drinks for free for the next six months.

The children were listed as beneficiaries of a feeding program dubbed as “Ako Para sa Batang Pinoy Movement” which was launched to help address malnutrition among schoolchildren in Bacolod.

During the launch, children were given “nutrijuice,” drinks developed by Coca Cola Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology. They will receive nutrijuice from Monday to Friday for the next six months at 16 schools in the city that would serve as feeding centers.

Jewel May Lobaton-Pimentel, wife of Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and chair of Ako Para sa Batang Pinoy Movement, was at the launch at the Bacolod City National High School Arts Center.

“Like a child taking his first step, Ako Para sa Batang Pinoy is looking ahead to transform this feeding program into a nationwide endeavor,” said Pimentel, former Bb. Pilipinas and Bacolod MassKara Queen.

She said malnutrition harms more Filipino children now than before. “The proportion of underweight Filipino children increased by 1.6 percent between 2003 and 2006,” Pimentel said.

“Children who are poorly nourished suffer up to 160 days of illness each year,” she added.