Kabuhayan Program supports Antique’s nutrition drive

A healthy individual would mean a productive worker.

For the Department of Labor and Employment DOLE RO No. 6, the promotion of health is an added value to the support extended to the fortification of rice-based sotanghon and cara-dairy products of Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Hamtic MPC) in the Municipality of Hamtic, Antique

“The project promotes not only the livelihood of the beneficiaries but also the well-being of the consumers. The financial assistance we are providing to the Cooperative reflects our strong support to the nutrition program of the province,” said Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr.

The DOLE RO No.6 through its Antique Field Office (AnFO) released Php1,195,632 to purchase complete equipment, utensils and tools for the enhancement of the Rice-Based Sotanghon and Cara-Dairy Projects of the Cooperative.

The basic ingredients of rice-based sotanghon (vermicelli) will be fortified by the blue ternate and malunggay from the backyard of 26 beneficiaries; and for the cara-dairy products, the buffalo milk will be regularly provided by 52 identified beneficiaries from their own stock.

Supporting the vision of the cooperative, RD Rodriguez is glad that Hamtic MPC is coordinating with different agencies to make the project more meaningful. The project helps address malnutrition in the Province of Antique which has the highest number of malnourished children in the region in 2016 according to the National Nutrition Council.

The Cooperative forged partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to use the products for its feeding program for day care learners in selected municipalities starting in July this year; and a proposal with the Department of Education for a feeding program in the local schools.

“We will properly monitor the livelihood project provided to the organization to ensure its sustainability and high economic returns to Hamtic MPC and the member beneficiaries,” said DOLE RO No.6 AnFO Head Carmela Abellar.

Hamtic MPC General Manager expressed her gratitude to DOLE and said that the assistance will be used to ensure efficiency and continuity in producing healthy and nutritious foods for the Antiqueños.