By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In two separate engagements in Pangasinan on Thursday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of initiatives geared towards nutrition and healthcare.
The President began with a visit to the Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation (NFMC) in Santa Barbara town, which is among those that supply the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with nutritious food for school-based feeding programs and disaster-hit communities.
Accompanied by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., he discussed the possibility of extending further assistance to scale up the operations of the food manufacturer, which has grown exponentially from seven employees in 2013 to 300 in 2026.
This uptick in manpower is likewise reflected in the company’s increased annual production, which grew from 2 million to 10 million during the same period.
President Marcos Jr. expounded the importance of supporting these companies in a media statement, “This is the kind of operation that we need so that not only are we able to secure our food supply, but also we are providing our children especially with proper nutrition.”
Nutridense is a licensed food manufacturer that makes research-based nutrient-rich products that aid in the government’s campaign against malnutrition.
After his Nutridense visit, President Marcos Jr. proceeded to the Sta. Barbara West Central School, where he was warmly welcomed by learners, teachers, and parents.
There, he monitored the implementation of PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) Program, as well as the ongoing supplemental feeding program for students courtesy of the Department of Education (DepEd).
These concerted initiatives form part of the administration’s thrust towards looking after learners’ welfare and nutrition, funneling resources that would contribute towards the improvement of the education sector.
The Chief Executive was accompanied by Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Fatima Lipp Panontongan, Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III, and other local officials. (with report from Clay Pardilla | PTV News)
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