The Office of the Vice President (OVP) is set to deploy three “kalusugan” food trucks for malnourished children in areas affected by natural and human-induced calamities.

Lemuel Ortonio, OVP assistant chief of staff, said the deployment of the vehicles will be based on recommendations from the Department of Education (DepEd) and National Nutrition Council (NNC) with considerations on the highest rate of malnourished or undernourished school children.

“Malnutrition is a significant public concern in the Philippines and to address the issue, the food trucks will serve warm and nutritious meals to them,” Ortonio said during the blessing ceremony of the trucks at the People’s Park here Monday.

He said the food trucks will be deployed in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

“We hope that with the implementation of this program, we will be able to curb the malnutrition issues among children in our country,” he added.

Aside from helping address malnutrition, Ortonio said the food trucks will also be used by first responders in calamity-stricken areas and serve food to front-liners and those severely affected residents.

Meanwhile, Norman Baloro, OVP’s chief of local affairs and special projects division, said the “Kalusugan” food trucks will be deployed for 120 days in schools and institutions to provide children with a specially designed menu to address their condition. (PNA)