NAGA CITY, July 6 (PIA) --The economic setback that COVID-19 unfortunately caused, affected not only the big businesses, but most regrettably, the marginalized sector and the small wage earners who are supposed to ensure there’s food on the table to sustain their family’s needs.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Camarines Sur Provincial Director Pat Felizmenio stated that the lack of quality food for each family has greatly affected the nutritional status of children, particularly those categorized as malnourished and undernourished. 

“Way back then, we have programs in schools to support the government’s program on nutrition basically targeting malnourished, under nourished and children with stunted growth but we cannot do it now since they are in modules and stays in their house. With that, we are promoting our Enhanced Nutribuns to help these children get the necessary nutrients that they need,” Felizmenio added.

Through DOST’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute, the nutribuns that school children used to eat way back the 70’s, bounced back with a twist, and is now dubbed as “ready-to-eat-complete meal.

The enhanced nutribun is also good for pregnant, lactating mothers and even senior citizens.

Felizmenio, during the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Camarines Sur’s Kapihan sa PIA program aired over 89.5 Radyon Natin Naga and livestreamed on FB live on Wed., June 30, said that the enhanced nutribun is now enriched with more vitamins with the inclusion of squash and carrots as additional variants.

“With the feeding program on hold due to the pandemic, we are now partnering with local bakeries to produce this enhanced nutribun so that it will be made available to the public. We will provide the recipe and they will be the one to produce and sell them,” the DOST Chief added.

An enhanced nutribun weighs 160-165 grams per piece. It has 54 calories and is packed with 17.8 g of protein, 6.08mg iron and 244mg Vit A.

It was launched in 2020, in response to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Memorandum Circular No. 12 series of 2020 which contains the guidelines in the Implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program During Community Quarantine or other similar emergencies.

The product is not only a big help for the nourishment of children but also for the agricultural sector, particularly the farmers, who will be the source of the vegetables needed to create the squash and carrot-flavored nutribun. 

Currently, only the AAVFoods, Inc. popularly known as Caramel Bakeshop is the sole producer of Enhanced Nutribun.  They are accepting bulk orders. Interested individuals or groups may get in touch with the following numbers : 0946-190-4066 or 0946-804-0272.

DOST Camarines Sur is also coordinating with 4 more local bakeries that will produce the nutribun.

For interested bakery owners, even local government units (LGUs) and other organizations who want to adopt the DOST-NFRI Enhanced Nutribun technology in Camarines Sur, they may visit their website: https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/ or they may contact them at their email address: pstc_cs@yahoo.com.  (LSM/PIA Bicol/with reports from MRGYabillo, DOST)