Nestlé solidifies partnership with DepEd-NCR

Nestlé Philippines and the Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) that strengthens its partnership to support public elementary schools in Metro Manila as they shift to blended learning.

This milestone event also marks the 8th year of the Nestlé Wellness Campus, Nestlé’s advocacy program that highlights the importance of teaching healthy habits to young Filipino children.

“As schools, teachers, learners and their parents adapt to changes brought about by the pandemic, this partnership with Nestlé Philippines will help us at the Department of Education-National Capital Region to redefine how we use our learning resources for educational continuity. We support Nestlé Philippines’ advocacy and enjoin everyone in making health and nutrition accessible, especially to our young students,” said Dr. Malcolm Garma, DepEd-NCR regional director.

Arlene Tan-Bantoto, senior vice president and head of Corporate Affairs and

Communications at Nestlé Philippines, lauded the partnership which began when the company launched the Nestlé Wellness Campus with the DepEd-NCR in 2013.

“As the Kasambuhay ng Pamilyang Pilipino, we are thankful for the opportunity to partner with DepEd-NCR in driving Edu-Kalidad and promoting greater awareness on health, nutrition and the environment as we prepare our young learners to lead happier and healthier lives,” said Bantoto.

This School Year 2020-2021, the Nestlé Wellness Campus expanded its support by preparing additional and timely online modules about immunity and handwashing as well as the environment.

These topics round up the seven healthy habits — Choosing Nutritious and Varied Options, Managing Portions, Choosing to Drink Water and Milk, Playing Actively, Enjoying Meals Together, Keeping Good Hygiene and Caring for the Planet — that teachers can incorporate in their lessons.

Co-developed with experts based on DepEd’s Most Essential

Learning Competencies, the downloadable educational materials include lesson guides, PowerPoint presentations and worksheets for Grade 1-10 students enrolled in public schools.

These will be accessible via the DepEd Commons and will also be available through Nestlé Wellness Campus Teacher Aides assigned per division under the DepEd-NCR.

Moreover, Nestlé Wellness Campus produced a “Dancercise” video for students to make staying active more fun for them at home. An exclusive Nestle Wellness Campus Facebook Group has also been set up to support public school teachers in navigating this new normal in education.

By the end of the current school year, Nestlé Wellness Campus will recognize the best integration and implementation of wellness practices via an inter-school and inter-region online competition.

Another important highlight of the partnership, according to Tan-Bantoto, is a research to be conducted by the Philippine Educational Measurement and Evaluation Association to gain a better understanding of the intention of Grade 4-10 students to practice the seven healthy habits.

Nestlé Philippines will use the results of this research to help improve future initiatives in partnership with DepEd.