The city government is extending its Nourish to Flourish (N to F) program for children below 5 years old until May 2027 to sustain improvements in their nutritional status and ensure continued access to basic health services.
Lealyn Catiyan, head of the Nutrition and Dietetics Division of the City Health Services Office (CHSO), said the extension will begin with a gift-giving activity on Dec. 4, followed by continued monitoring of beneficiaries until May next year.
Launched in 2025, the N to F program is a child welfare and nutrition initiative of the Baguio City Nutrition Council, chaired by the CHSO. It expanded the city’s traditional Christmas gift-giving activity into a comprehensive package of interventions for nutritionally at-risk children aged 0 to 59 months.
The program encourages private individuals and families to sponsor children by providing their basic health and nutritional needs for six months, with the CHSO conducting regular monitoring and needs assessments.
The program has been extended several times based on the CHSO’s recommendations to ensure that beneficiaries continue receiving essential health and nutrition support.
Catiyan said the 2026-2027 implementation began with a health and nutrition caravan in October, serving 50 identified nutritionally at-risk children below 5 years old.
The caravan offered pediatric consultations through the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center; nutrition assessments and counseling by the Nutritionist and Dietitian Association of the Philippines and the Barangay Nutrition Scholar Association; family planning services through the CHSO; and dental services through the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) and the CHSO Dental Division.
Other services included eye screening by Eye Health and the CHSO; seed distribution and a Kadiwa Store on Wheels through the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office; and food pack distribution by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Beneficiaries were also referred to other agencies for livelihood assistance and support under the city’s smoke-free initiatives.
The six-month extension will provide additional benefits, including free dental services for beneficiary children through the adoption program of PDA members. Food supplements will be included in the assistance packages.
The CHSO will replace beneficiaries who have moved out of Baguio City.
Beneficiaries were identified through Oplan Timbang Plus, which tracks improvements in their nutritional status, physical and emotional well-being, and school performance over a six-month period.
Through barangay health workers and program sponsors, children receive basic food commodities, multivitamins and nutritional supplements.
Their parents, meanwhile, receive nutrition and parenting education and referrals to other agencies for skills development and livelihood assistance. (PNA)