The city government of Iloilo inaugurated the Uswag Nutrition Center on Thursday, a pioneering facility that will produce nutritious food for children and nutritionally at-risk pregnant women under the city’s feeding program.

Located along General Luna Street in the City Proper, the P54-million center houses a nutrition office, production area, and function halls.

It is the first local government unit-run facility in the country capable of producing its own food commodities for public nutrition programs.

The center will produce rice-mongo-sesame blend and enhanced ‘nutribun’, using the technology of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The equipment for the rice-mongo-sesame blend production was purchased through a donation from the Bombo Radyo Philippines Foundation, Inc., while DOST will provide for the enhanced ‘nutribun’.

“The equipment (for enhanced nutribun) is for delivery as per the last monitoring meeting with the city. The technology generator of the DOST – Food Nutrition Research Institute- has already conducted training,” said Engr. Shiela Oberio, Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology Director, in an interview.

She said it will be a small-scale production, enough to supply the feeding program of the city government.

Dr. Annabelle Tang, city executive assistant for health, said the city government is now in the process of procuring the ingredients for the rice-monggo-sesame blend. Once complete, the production will immediately commence.

Mayor Jerry Treñas, speaking at the inauguration, said the facility is a legacy project as he is about to end his term on June 30.

“The Uswag Nutrition Center is the manifestation of our vision to expand and improve our facilities, ensuring that we provide better nutrition to our children and at-risk pregnant mothers—the very people who need our support the most,” he said.

Also present at the event were Department of Health Western Visayas Regional Director Dr. Annabel Yumang and Bombo Radyo Foundation Chair Dr. Rogelio Florete. (PNA)