RC Makati Rolls Out Nutrition Program with Food Share in Padre Garcia

If there is one program that RC Makati proudly upholds year after year, it is the Nutrition Program—a project close to our hearts because its impact is visible in the lives of children and families. This Rotary year, the Club launched its first initiative under this program: the Food Share Program (FSP), a partnership with Kabisig ng Kalahi that addresses immediate food needs while helping families build sustainable nourishment for the future.

On August 14, RC Makati officially launched the program at the Municipal Hall of Padre Garcia, Batangas, a two-hour drive from Makati. Leading the Club delegation were Pres. Eddie Galvez, PP Freddie & Jojo Borromeo, Dir. Michael Hsu, Amb. Melvin Castelino, Jolyon & Ann Menchu Tiglao, Makoto & Marilou Numata, and Yaron Hahami. They were joined by Kabisig ng Kalahi President Ms. Vicky Wieneke, Mayor Celsa Rivera, Vice Mayor Micko Rivera, and members of the RC Padre Garcia led by Pres. Mary Rose Briones.

The program opened with welcome messages from local officials, followed by an orientation from Ms. Wieneke. Pres. Eddie underscored Rotary’s commitment to fighting hunger and improving nutrition. PP Freddie, who has championed this program for over two decades, highlighted that the Food Share Program goes beyond distributing rice—it empowers families to grow their own food, take responsibility, and work together for a brighter future. Dir. Michael reinforced this message, noting that sustainability is the heart of the program, with Rotary standing alongside families throughout their journey. Mayor Celsa expressed her deep gratitude to RC Makati and Kabisig ng Kalahi for uplifting the lives of her constituents.

One of the highlights of the event was the signing of an agreement among Kabisig ng Kalahi, RC Makati, DSWD CALABARZON, and the LGU of Padre Garcia, witnessed by RC Padre Garcia, which will also help monitor the program’s impact.

The first 60 beneficiary families—30 each from Barangays Tamak and San Miguel—will receive 60 kilos of rice in three tranches over six months, in exchange for their participation in community gardening projects. These gardens aim to provide daily meals and potentially an additional source of income. During the initial distribution of 20 kilos of rice, the LGU added 5 extra kilos per family. Beneficiaries also received bottles of garlic cooking oil donated by Glenn & Christine Gatuslao, as well as cookbooks from Kabisig to guide them in preparing affordable, nutritious meals.

After the formal program, the RC Makati delegation met with Mayor Celsa to explore future collaborations, followed by a fellowship lunch at Tom Yang, hosted by Pres. Eddie.

The Food Share Program is a collaborative effort involving LGUs, NGOs, and community representatives. It addresses food insecurity by redistributing surplus food and promoting sustainable practices through food waste reduction, local food production, and educational campaigns. Beneficiaries are profiled families who become the nucleus for community development. Backed by continuous monitoring and strong LGU support, FSP has proven its effectiveness in improving family welfare and community resilience.

This is the third time RC Makati has supported this program—the first in Calatagan, Batangas during the presidency of PP Michael Escaler in RY2022-23, and later in Tanay, Rizal during the presidency of PP Bing Matoto in RY2023-24.

The Nutrition Program has just begun, and we are excited to launch more initiatives this year to protect children from malnutrition and continue the fight against hunger.