Kraft Phil backs health education in Sarangani
By Pops Gumana
Malapatan, Sarangani (5 October) -- As part of its social commitment to help the government promote a healthy and active lifestyle among children in the country, Kraft Foods Philippines in partnership with Conrado Alcantara Foundation Inc. (CAFI) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) funded the Healthy and Active Lifestyle Enhancement (HALE) classrooms for two selected elementary schools in the province.
During the groundbreaking ceremonies at H. Diamalod Ebrahim and Lun Padidu Elementary Schools here over the weekend, Raymund Soberano, Human Resource Communications Manager of Kraft Foods Philippines said they support the project because they wanted to assist the pupils develop healthy habits in the school setting and continue this practice in their own home.
He pointed out that this should be given importance since "the development of our country depends much on the Filipino workforce."
"We cannot achieve progress if the people are unhealthy and weak, that's why we are upholding the value of keeping healthy and maintaining an active lifestyle by starting it with eating the right foods," he opined.
Moreover, PBSP Senior Program Officer Mary Jay Infesto said the project aims to strengthen the implementation of the Edukasyong Pangkabuhayan at Pantahanan (EPP) subject wherein children in public schools are equipped with practical knowledge and life skills for them to eventually become self-reliant.
"The EPP aims to keep children physically fit through sport and physical fitness activities while at the same time inculcate in them the value of proper health through lessons in good grooming, food preparation and nutrition," she added.
For his part, Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez expressed his gratitude to PBSP and its member companies for their continued support to the education programs of the province.
"It greatly helped in uplifting the quality of education in the beneficiary schools," he said.
He also stressed the importance of developing linkages with private sectors since this can further reach out to the unprivileged.
This is very significant because H. Diamalod Ebrahim Elementary School, for instance, was adjudged in 2003, as "one of the least performing schools in the province, but now it is one of the best," Dominguez added. (PIA-SarGen) [top]
