AboitizPower subsidiary helps 150 malnourished kids
Pupils of Bato Elementary School in Toledo City, Cebu didn’t know what was going to happen on the morning of June 27, but they were certain it was something special.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been called to gather inside one classroom, with some of them spilling over to the corridor outside. By the time their visitors arrived, most of them had already become restless in their chairs.
At first glance, one would surmise that these kids were ordinary primary school pupils, going about their business the way any child their age should. But behind the smile, the laughter, and their typical appearance is a concern that is prevalent across the Philippines.
These pupils, about 150 of them, are considered either malnourished or underfed, resulting in stunted growth and poor performance in school.
As a way to fulfill the Aboitiz Group’s promise of advancing business and communities, AboitizPower, whose 340-megawatt thermal power plant is operated by Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) in Bato, Toledo, has stepped in to help these school kids.
“Therma Visayas is well aware of this situation and in our own simple way, we would like to address this one,” said Engr. John Arman Serenuela, TVI vice president and plant manager, during the launch of their nutrition enhancement program for Bato Elementary School last June 27.
In the next four months, TVI will work hand in hand with the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI) and Pilmico to provide high energy biscuits to these schoolchildren.
The students and their parents will also go through a series of health and wellness trainings.
Maribeth Marasigan, AFI first vice president and chief operating officer, said that the high energy packed 450 kilocalories and are equivalent to one full meal.