Dissemination Forum

The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) participated in the presentation of the results of the assessment conducted by Ms. Paula Tommila, International Consultant from the Finnish Centre of Expertise in Education and Development (FinCEED) entitled “Viability of an Integrated Programme on Home-Grown School Feeding in BARMM” held yesterday, February 22, 2023 at the Paragon Hotel, Cotabato City.

The project was conducted to provide detailed analysis of the scope, gaps and enabling environments on the implementation of the existing school feeding programs in BARMM and provide recommendations on what interventions should be strengthened or put in place with regard the concept of HGSF. The analysis will serve as basis for the design of the proposed feeding program. HGSF constitutes a school feeding model that is designed to provide children in schools with safe, diverse and nutritious food, sourced locally from smallholders.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in cooperation with the United nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP), has sought for Finnish expertise to look at the viability of a potential integrated programme on Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF).The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education as the lead implementer of the School-based Feeding Program (SBFP) allocated Php 384,000,000.00 for 160,000 learners of the 11 School Divisions from the block grant which was duly approved by the Bangsamoro Parliament. The Ministry expressed its gratefulness in the BARMM government, Embassy of Finland in Manila, the Finnish Centre of Expertise in Education and Development (FinCEED) and other International partners for supporting the Integrated Programme on Home-Grown School Feeding in BARMM.

The said activity was attended by different BARMM Ministries headed by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the Bangsamoro Planning Development Authority (BPDA) among others, Civil Society Organizations, Finnish Embassy and FinCEED, UN Agencies in BARMM and potential donors.

The activity was graced by the Finland Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Juha Markus Pyykkö. Mr. Dipayan Bhattacharyya, Deputy Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) gave his response on behalf of the United Nations following after the Messages of Support from the different BARMM agencies. The activity ended with a speech from Mr. Radoslaw Rzehak, Chief of Mindanao Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and wrapped up with a photo opportunity of the attendees.