The Dumaguete City government will deploy mobile food kitchens to public schools and introduce hydroponics gardening as part of its expanded campaign to address malnutrition among schoolchildren.

Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria announced the initiatives on Wednesday during the launch of the National Nutrition Month celebration in the Negros Island Region (NIR), held in this city.

Sagarbarria said the city has purchased two mobile kitchen units that will serve public elementary and secondary schools.

“I have already purchased two units of mobile kitchen because these will be deployed to all public elementary and high schools in the city,” he said.

The mobile kitchens have already been ordered and are expected to arrive within the next few weeks.

The mayor also announced the establishment of hydroponic gardens in schools through funding support from the Philippine Reclamation Authority. Under the project, students will grow vegetables using hydroponic technology and use the harvested produce in school-based cooking activities.

If successful, the city government hopes to expand the program across Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, DSWD-NIR Regional Director Arvin Razo said the agency is targeting around 100,000 children aged 3 to 4 years and 11 months enrolled in more than 3,000 Child Development Centers across the region for nutrition interventions.

About PHP500 million has been allocated for the program in 2026.

The interventions include a milk-feeding program for LGUs covered under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).

The National Nutrition Council is leading this year’s Nutrition Month celebration with the theme, “Sa PPAN: Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat!” and the sub-theme, “Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan.” (PNA)