𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀; 𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

In a strong move to improve the health and well-being of students, the Department of Education – Division of Davao del Sur officially launched two major health and nutrition initiatives today, July 21, 2025, at Rizal Elementary School in Barangay Rizal, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

The event marked the official kick-off of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) for School Year 2025-2026 and the launching of the Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd on Wheels (OKD on Wheels) – a mobile health and nutrition program that brings essential services directly to schools.

The SBFP aims to provide nutritious meals to undernourished learners in public schools, helping them become healthier, more active, and more focused in their studies. At the same time, the OKD on Wheels brings health services like medical and dental check-ups, deworming, and hygiene education straight to the schools using mobile facilities.

According to the School Health Section under the School Governance and Operations Division, this joint effort is not only about providing food and health services, but also about educating students and parents on proper nutrition, hygiene, and overall wellness.

“We want to make sure that no child goes to school hungry or sick,” said SDS Lorenzo E. Mendoza, CESO V. “Through SBFP and OKD on Wheels, we bring support closer to where it’s needed the most – our schools.”

The event also aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the Department of Education, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and other community partners, all working together to ensure the health of schoolchildren.

Parents, teachers, health workers, and local officials attended the launch, showing strong support for the programs.

With these initiatives in place, the Division of Davao del Sur hopes to create healthier schools where learners can thrive physically, mentally, and academically.