Gov. George Arnaiz laughed off as an "ambitious dream" the efforts to achieve a zero malnutrition rate in Oriental Negros.

But he was quick to say that this could be possible if all local government units in the province cooperate with the government to eliminate malnutrition in their localities.

The extensive and successful campaign of Negros Oriental for the last three years to reduce malnutrition had earned for it the Crown Award on nutrition in Region 7. The campaign of the provincial government is focused presently on a school-based nutrition-feeding program aimed at improving the quality of learning of public school children.

During the recent launching of the program, Arnaiz asked all town and city mayors and the three House representatives of the province to set aside funds to sustain the program.

The provincial government, he said, could not meet all the needs of the program, and that, funds from LGUs and the three congressmen could help stabilize and sustain the anti-malnutrition drive.

The governor has also intensified the Gulayan, Palaisdaan, Alay sa Kabataan program in all public schools the nutrition feeding program.

Meanwhile, Rep. Herminio Teves (NegOr. 3rd district) disclosed a plan to launch a nutrition feeding program parallel to that of the governor's.

Teves said his plan aims at arresting the declining quality of education in public schools as shown by the dismal results of the achievement tests held in public schools in the province.

Teves said the program will improve the intelligence level of students, but like Arnaiz, he said he believes it will succeed only with the cooperation of local and school officials.*RG

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