January 15, 2021 – The Department of Education (DepEd) sealed a partnership with Nestlé Philippines, Inc. (NPI) to further promote a healthy lifestyle among Filipino children in a virtual Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony on Wednesday.

In her speech, Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones emphasized that health and education are closely related, citing DepEd’s joint programs with the Department of Health (DOH) on child nutrition and health.

“This is because we all know that an unhealthy child cannot learn as much one who is healthy, well-fed, and given nutritionally sufficient assistance, especially for those who cannot afford the expense of maintaining healthy children. We are very grateful for Nestlé Philippines for its long years of partnership and help,” Secretary Briones said.

The said partnership has paved way for NPI’s advocacies in education which are the (1) Nestlé Wellness Campus Program; (2) Milo Home Court Program; and (3) Laki sa Tibay Program which includes the printing and distribution of Tibay Learning Modules and DepEd Learning Kits, and the inclusion of product samples in DepEd’s learning packets.

“Kaya po gusto kong bigyan ng diin, lalo na sa gawaing pagpapalalim ng galing sa wellness at sa nutrition awareness, napakalaki po ng bahagi ng partnership na ito natin, Nestlé Philippines and the Department of Education upang ang mga aralin ng mga bata sa mga aralin dito ngayon COVID-19 ay maging mas makabuluhan, maging mas interesting, at hopefully maayos natin ang pagpapatuto kahit napakarami ng mga hamon,” Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio shared.

“Ito po ay mahalaga [sapagkat] sa ilalim ng batas, [ang] misyon ng DepEd education agenda ng ating Madam Liling Briones [ay] talagang gusto pong bigyang-diin, lalong lalo na [sa] 4th pillar ng Sulong EduKalidad tungkol sa pakikipag-ugnayan o partnership,” Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito Umali shared.

Meanwhile, Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki shared that their purpose is to unlock the power of good food to enhance the quality of life for everyone today and for the generations to come as the quality of life includes the quality of education.

Sec. Briones also shared that last year, the Congress and the President enacted the creation of the National Academy of Sports, which is chaired by the Secretary of Education.

“We look forward to increased support and more sport-related activities which Nestlé Philippines is very well known for and we truly appreciate their participation in most if not all of our sports-related activities, especially now that we have a National Academy of Sports which is part of the DepEd family as well,” she ended.

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