DATU SALIBO, Maguindanao (MindaNews/12 October) - Unmindful of the ankle-deep floodwaters that greeted her arrival at the Pagatin Elementary School, actress KC Concepcion yesterday led a feeding program for children here sponsored by the World Food Program (WFP).
“The last time I was there, the school was not flooded yet,” she recalled, unable to hide her anxiety.
But the young actress remained upbeat. “This is the reality of life and I am inspired by such thing to do well to those in need of my help. I love Maguindanao,” she said.
At the local health center, Concepcion joined in giving the children corn soya, a supplemental grain distributed by the WFP to improve their nutritional status.
During her short visit, Concepcion went to the site of a livelihood project on halal feeds making and vermin-composting technology as part of the residents’ efforts to economically recover after abandoning the area for several months.
“This is an amazing day for all of us, we are very glad KC came. We believe her presence will bring glory,” said Salembai, a resident of Pagatin.
Concepcion’s visit here yesterday with WFP was her second. She first came here in May last year.
Teary-eyed school principal Pendatun Kamad told Mindanews he hopes the problems affecting the children will also be looked into by government officials.
He said the children have acquired waterborne diseases owing to the flooding of their classrooms.
Meanwhile, Stephen Anderson, WFP Philippines country representative, said that in the past their organization provided food to some 250,000 evacuees in Maguindanao alone.
“However, we are glad to hear that the number of evacuees has reduced since the government’s efforts to push the peace process in Mindanao,” he said.
From feeding 250,000 evacuees, Anderson said latest WFP data showed that the figure has tremendously reduced to 65,000 displaced individuals in the province.
“It seems that our efforts to bring back normalcy to the lives of the displaced people in Maguindanao are paying off,” he said.
He revealed that in Maguindanao alone, the WFP has spent some P26 million for its feeding and livelihood assistance programs the past 18 months.
The WFP is set to tap the internet for its new fundraising program “We Feed Back” that is slated for launching soon.
“The program could be likened to a social networking site where donors create an account and help us feed deprived Filipinos especially in conflict zones of the country,” Concepcion explained.
Despite her hectic schedule as an actress Concepcion has been working the past three years as WFP Philippines ambassador against hunger “for free.” (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)
