Mingo has arrived at its 32nd province in the Philippines! Identified by the Philippine government as “geographically isolated and disadvantaged,” this cluster of more than a hundred islands can only be reached by ferry boat and is in the Caraga region of Mindanao, just above Surigao del Norte.
The feeding program will cater to 9 barangays of the municipality of Tubajon, Dinagat Islands. Launched in early August 2017, it is funded by the local government unit. 168 children under 5 years old are enrolled in the program will receive daily Mingo Meals for six months as part of the program.
The feeding program was organized and is headed by Dr. Jillian Francise Lee, who joined the Department of Health’s Doctors to the Barrios Program fresh out of medical school in 2016. She was deployed last December to municipality of Tubajon, Dinagat Islands as its Municipal Health Officer and the only medical doctor in her area. Doc Jill is assisted by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Jessica Paz Tidalgo, who is also one of Tubajon’s midwives.
“The kids like it,” says Doc Jill of Mingo. “Actually, sabi nila bitin daw yung isang packet per day. We currently have the highest rates of malnutrition in Dinagat Islands, and I appreciate that the LGU took that wake-up call and helped us raise awareness about malnutrition. Next year I hope to extend our nutrition program to include the municipality’s pregnant women, especially the teenage mothers, many of whom lack both nutrition and awareness on nutrition themselves.”
She is currently coordinating with several private sector companies in the area so that they can help to fund more Mingo Meals for the kids of her municipality.
Doc Jill, thank you for trusting Mingo to improve the nutritional status of young children in your barangay. We’re honored and inspired to be working with someone as young, dynamic, and dedicated as you!
Want to know more about Doc Jill’s life as a Doctor to the Barrio? She co-wrote an article about her experiences. Read on
(photos courtesy of Dr. Jillian Lee)
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