Universal Robina Corporation recently joined the winners’ circle at the seventh Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, an awards program that recognizes innovation in business and the positive contributions of organizations and professionals in the 29 countries of the APAC region.
URC’s SAngkap, GAbay at Nutrisyong Alay (SAGANA) Sustansya, a CSR program aiming to eradicate malnutrition among public school students, was awarded a Bronze Stevie in the Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications category.
Originally called the Hidden Hunger Project when it was launched in July 2018, SAGANA Sustansya aligns with URC's sustainability agenda, as well as that of its parent company, JG Summit Holdings, Inc. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal Number 2 or Zero Hunger.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Philippines loses over P220 billion a year due to the high incidence of child malnutrition. UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Joris van Hees also notes that more than 29,000 Filipino children under the age of five die each year due to undernutrition.
To help solve this problem, the company took a multi-sectoral approach with this project, engaging partners from government and the private sector. It partnered with the Molave Development Foundation in promoting the use of a vegetable-based meal additive developed by Approtech Asia that includes nutrients such as Vitamin A, iodine, iron, and zinc.
URC also partnered with public schools in communities where they operate, and joined their school-based feeding programs. At these school feeding activities, the food-additive derived from green leafy vegetables like horseradish (malunggay), sweet camote tops, and water spinach (kangkong) is sprinkled on top of meals served to students, providing them with the recommended daily amount of micronutrients.
To increase the program’s sustainability and ensure that it takes a 360-degree wholistic approach, URC also engages the school teachers and parents of the students. The program also gives URC employees an opportunity to connect with the local community by participating in the awareness campaigns or helping in the production of the SAGANA Sustansya additives.
The Bronze Stevie is the latest recognition for URC’s SAGANA Sustansya campaign. In February, it received a Silver Anvil in the Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis–Community Development (Urban/Rural) category at the Anvil Awards of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.
For more information on URC and its portfolio of products, visit urc.com.ph
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