In the first major business conference organized by the newly established Baguio Business Club (BBC) last April 30,2026, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued a serious alert about a major economic recession that has already hit this otherwise very prosperous tourism resort that has been growing at an above-average rate compared to other regions in the country.  Because of the ongoing economic crisis resulting from the U.S.-Iran war that has sent food and transport prices to record levels, usually full hotels, restaurants and other destinations of both foreign and domestic tourists are empty—a situation that the Mayor described as even worse than that which prevailed during the recent pandemic.  The resulting stagflation (low economic growth and high inflation) may drive numerous households belonging to the low-middle income level (workers dependent on the tourism industry) once again fall below the poverty line.  In fact some economists have already forecasted that the gains in addressing poverty during the first half of the BBM Administration (16 % down to 13 %) may be wiped out this year with food inflation rising to double-digit levels of 10 to 15 %.  We may see more families all over the country, and especially in hard-hit Baguio, encountering serious difficulties in fighting off hunger, especially among children who are most adversely affected by malnutrition and undernutrition.

            As Ma. Dhelyn dela Cruz and Sheic Sims of the Action for Policy Reforms recently wrote in this paper (April 27, 2026), stunting affects 23.6 % of infants and young children, 17.9% of school-age children, and 20.7 % of adolescents.  Wasting affects 5.6 % of infants and young children, 8.4 % of school-age children ad 11.5 % of adolescents.  The decline in stunting in the Philippines is slower than in the rest of Southeast Asia.  At this rate, reaching the zero malnutrition Sustainable Development Goal of 2030 seems unlikely.

            That is why I did not have to think twice when the officers of the Baguio Business Club (BBC) asked me what should be their first project to promote the common good of  Baguio City and the surrounding environs.  I told them to replicate the very successful Philippine Food Bank Foundation that is already operating in several cities like Metro Manila, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Davao City, San Fernando (Pampanga) and a few others.  As I wrote in some previous columns in this paper, it was in 2016 that a group of concerned business executives followed the lead from then Supreme Pontiff Pope Francis who called for the rejection of the “throw-away culture” prevalent in many advanced countries.  The Pope, acutely aware of the Catholic social doctrine concerning the preferential option for the poor, appealed to food producers not to continue their practice of throwing away tens of millions of tons of surplus farm products and soon-to-expire processed food in factories, hotels and restaurants, while hundreds of millions of poor families in both developed and developing countries are going to bed hungry every day.

            Our first generous donor was Alaska Milk Corporation, then headed by CEO Fred Uytengsu.   It was providential that I was then an Independent Director of the milk manufacturing enterprise. The Board generously responded to our request for the soon-to-expire canned milk products that are among the most precious nourishment for the children of poor families.  Then the rest is history.  One after another, food manufacturers and eating establishments responded with generosity and enabled us to donate food to more than one hundred institutional beneficiaries, especially orphanages run by religious nuns, parishes, feeding clinics, public schools and homes for the aged.  Ten years later, the food bank is able to distribute donated surplus food equivalent to P12,000,000 monthly.  Among the notable and most regular donors are Starbucks, Jollibee, San Miguel Corporation, Century Pacific, Sari-Suki, Pan de Manila, Amici, Max’s, Mary Grace, Good Eats, Mr. Kabab, and San Antonio Marketing.

            It has been so heartwarming that the Philippine Foodbank Foundation has been receiving unsolicited offers from both local and foreign donors who are eager to help its projects and programs expand, not only within the NCR region, but in various regions in the Archipelago. As will soon happen in Baguio City, the food distribution program of PFF has been replicated in Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Pampanga.  Civic organizations like the Rotary Clubs and sports clubs like those at the Tagaytay Highlands, have been very generous in raising funds for the cash expenses (especially logistics) of the Foundation.

            A recent development, that can also be replicated in other regions, is the way the food distribution program of PFF has metamorphosed into collaborative efforts among NGOs, schools, parishes and other charitable organizations to actually prepare cooked food for thousands of hungry children and adults.  A notable example of this initiative is the Balik Lusog, a collaborative food rescue, community-driven initiative organized by the Philippine Food Bank Foundation in cooperation with the Loaves & Fish  Foundation sponsored by the Rustan Coffee Corporation and the Starbucks Foundation, Inc.  Launched in January 2026, the program feeds 500 malnourished and undernourished learners from Grades 3 to 6 at the Poblacion Elementary School (POBES), Muntinlupa, Metro Manila daily during schooldays.  By converting donated surplus and supplemental food items into high-nutrition meals, the program aims to improve the physical health (BMI) and academic performance of children living in vulnerable communities while avoiding food waste and environmental damage. 

            The program officially commenced on January 24, 2026, with a launch event that underscored the strong multisectoral support for the initiative, and culminated on March 24, 2026 with a comprehensive report on health and academic performances of the participating students.  A distinct advantage of this type of hands-on feeding program is that there is proof that the so-called “triple burden” of malnutrition (undernutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiency) is being effectively addressed.  To illustrate the types of human resources that are critical in successfully carrying out a collaborative initiative of this nature, I shall identify the key persons and organizations who put their efforts together to implement the Balik Lusog program. In the initial planning of the program, I (as Chair of the PFBF) and Ambassador Joseph M.Yap (Founder/Chairman, Loaves &Fishes) shared our insights and vision on Food Insecurity, Malnutrition, Education, and the Environment).  The COO of PFBF, Ms. Ayie Navarro and the parish priest of San Pedro Calungsod Quasi-parish, Fr. William P. Ramos established a strong foundation of local ownership (based on the social doctrine of the principle of subsidiarity).  Fr. William bridged the gap by reaching to Ms. Karen Joy M. Daguiog, a dedicated parishioner and alumna of the school (POBES) who had recently joined the school’s staff.   Recognizing the great potential for impact, Karen proposed the initiative to the School Principal, Dr. Jennifer S. Joson.  Upon the approval of the program, Karen was appointed Program Director for “Balik Lusog”, ensuring that the project was led by a trusted member of the community.

            For all the participants to be on the same page, several speakers during the launch gave insights into the mission-vision of the Program.  Dr. Joson and Dr. Ma Myra E. Namit, District Supervisor of the Muntinlupa schools, elaborated on the link between Nutrition and Learning.  Karen presented the details of the Program.  Representing the business sector to manifest their strong support were Chris Po, Chairman of Century Pacific Group; Mr. Jim Fuentebella, Executive Director of Max’s Group, Inc., Kim Lichauco, Executive Director of San Miguel Foundation; and John Francia , Head of AgriTech, Sari-Suki.  To make all the stakeholders of the Program keenly aware of the scientific dimensions of the program, Brother Lawrence Aikee R. Esmili, FSC, Vice Chancellor for La Sallian Mission and Development at De La Salle Dasmarinas, Cavite, introduced a seminar for parents and students that was conducted by Vilma Reyes and Gladys Jane Anicete, practicing nutritionists and dieticians from DLSC-MC.  The seminar was a micro-credential on the fundamentals of family health.

            When the Program started, 500 malnourished students from Grades 3 to 6 were identified to participate.  These children belong to families relocated from the railroad tracks where they were considered as illegal settlers.  Facing significant socio-economic challenges, these students were identified through a baseline assessment of: (1) Weight and Height; (2) Body Mass Index (BMI); and (3) Initial Academic Performance.  The Balik Lusog program operated on a “Food Rescue Kitchen” ecosystem, volunteerism, and efficient transport.  The feeding program ran daily during the school days from January 26 to March 19, 2026, a total of 38 days.  To be continued.