ACED and ASMPH partner for the Inang Busog, Batang Malusog Feeding Program

Students from the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH), in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), conducted health consultations for the beneficiaries of the Inang Busog, Batang Malusog (IBBM) feeding program in Commonwealth, Quezon City, on 23 and 29 October 2025. This was part of the Learning Experiences in Communities (LEC) Program. Under the supervision of their Faculty Preceptor, Dr Kim Ching, the ASMPH students facilitated the health consultations of 40 mothers and children with a licensed pediatrician. Additionally, the team shared their expertise and knowledge with the mothers during the consultation.

The Inang Busog, Batang Malusog (IBBM) feeding program of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) was launched in 2019 and caters to pregnant teenage women and addresses the hunger and nutritional needs of their children within the first 1,000 days of life.

Beneficiaries, ages 15-22, who are pregnant or have children up to three years old, receive weekly food packs consisting of vegetables and other root crops to augment their sources of nutritious meals for their family.

The program includes a value-based and life skills seminar workshop that provides awareness and enhances their knowledge about topics such as Nutrition, Food Preparation, Vaccination, First Aid, Women’s Health, and more.

At present, the ACED IBBM Feeding Program is active in Payatas, Bagong Silangan, and Commonwealth, Quezon City, catering to 140 teenage mother beneficiaries this year. ACED hopes to expand its operation to other areas to provide nutritious food packs that nourish the body and through seminars, provide awareness that good health is everyone’s wealth.

The teenage mothers who are part of the program are very grateful for this learning opportunity that will enable them to enhance their family’s health and well-being.

Beneficiaries shared positive feedback on the program. One shared, "Activities like these, such as free health consultations, are a big help. Aside from not having to spend any money, this is also a great opportunity for my child to be seen by a licensed pediatrician for free." (translated quotation) Another appreciated the food packs provided to them as a mother. "The weekly food pack we receive is a big help to us. It reduces our weekly expenses and allows us to allocate money for other expenses, like school supplies and my child's projects. The seminars have also been very helpful, especially when it comes to preparing the right nutrition for my family." (translated quotation)