Narrative Report on the SBFP Orientation –

On the 22nd of October 2023, educators and coordinators gathered at the Greenleaf Hotel in General
Santos City for the eagerly anticipated School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) Orientation. This in-person
event opened with a solemn prayer and the national anthem, setting the tone for an informative and
engaging session.

The day commenced with an enlightening presentation by the Division SBFP Focal Coordinator.
She provided valuable insights into the guidelines and memorandum governing the SBFP for the school
year 2023-2024. In particular, she delved into the menu options for hot meals and Nutrition Food Product
(NFP). The importance of adhering to nutrition facts was underscored, with the understanding that in cases
where specific food items were unavailable locally, they could be substituted, contingent upon the
submission and approval of a 'change menu' form by the district nurse. Notably, the allocation of funds
was discussed, with each learner in the NFP receiving 18 pesos, 2 pesos of which were earmarked for
operational expenses like food transportation. Additionally, commercial milk costs 19 pesos, with 1 peso
designated for operational expenses. Attendees actively engaged in the discussion, raising questions that
were thoughtfully addressed.

The next segment of the orientation was dedicated to an in-depth exploration of SBFP Forms 1
and 2. A crucial clarification was made: data in Form 2 was meant exclusively for the beneficiary. This led
to a pivotal understanding that if a learner was already categorized as Severely Wasted or Wasted, they
should not be counted again as Severely Stunted or Stunted. This illuminated a potentially confusing
aspect of the program for many coordinators. Furthermore, the Nutritional Status was discussed,
demonstrating how to filter data by grade level. It was stressed that since Nutritional Status was a part of
the Learner Information System (LIS), it was imperative to encode it both at the Beginning of School Year
(BOSY) and End of School Year (EOSY) to ensure data accuracy, aligning with reports to be submitted to
regional authorities. Collaboration between SBFP, Nutritional Status, and LIS Coordinators was
emphasized to facilitate precise data encoding.

The final segment of the orientation focused on the Financial Report and liquidation of the SBFP
Fund. A representative from the division accounting office took the floor to discuss this vital aspect. It was
emphasized that the fund would be disbursed in four tranches and that liquidation must be conducted
promptly to prevent the accumulation of unliquidated funds and the overlapping of reports. Non-
compliance in terms of timely liquidation would result in the issuance of a demand letter by the division
accounting office to the school head.

In conclusion, the SBFP Orientation of October 22, 2023, proved to be an invaluable learning
experience for all those in attendance. Coordinators and educators left the event with a deeper
understanding of the program's intricacies and a clear vision of how to fulfill their roles more effectively
and efficiently. The day was marked by active participation, clarifications of doubts, and a strong sense of
collective responsibility in ensuring the success of the SBFP.