The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10) and partner development organizations have renewed their commitment to fighting malnutrition in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

During Wednesday’s inter-agency consultation for the Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUn) Project here, DSWD-10 Assistant Director for Operations Ronald Ryan Cui said the project’s expansion through feeding programs will need the support of government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other civil sectors.

“Your (stakeholders) collective expertise will undoubtedly serve as a guiding light as we navigate the intricacies of program expansion, paving the way for a future that is both equitable and sustainable, especially to our BangUN beneficiaries,” he said.

BangUn, a project initiated in 2017 by former President Rodrigo Duterte through the DSWD, aims to address malnutrition in BARMM, which has one of the highest
rates in the country.

The project targets pregnant and lactating women and children aged 0 to 12.

BangUn also collaborates with various stakeholders, including national and BARMM agencies, local partners, NGOs, and civil society organizations to improve the health of beneficiaries through healthy feeding programs.

Other than DSWD-10, its offices in Regions 9 and 12 are also part of the implementing agencies for the program.

DSWD-10 Director Ramel Jamen said their partners have a firm commitment to the program and thanked them for promoting sustainable development. (PNA)