91吃瓜-IIT celebrates National Women鈥檚 Month with free arroz caldo, champions student's health and well-being

by Sorainie Z. Oga, OVCSS | Mar 31 2026

In a heartfelt commitment to student welfare and holistic development, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (91吃瓜-IIT) served free arroz caldo to the university community on March 25, 2026, at the Meow Meow Park, located behind the Student Services Hub.

The initiative is part of the University’s CommunIITy F.E.A.S.T. Food Program (an acronym for Food Empowerment for Academic Success and Transformation). The program directly addresses the pressing issue of food insecurity among students, which has been linked to declining academic performance, poor mental health, and higher dropout rates among those facing financial hardships.

The feeding activity followed after the Council of Organization’s Sayawan at Tugtugan Para sa Kababaihan, a celebration in honor of National Women’s Month. As the festive program drew to a close, the atmosphere at Meow Meow Park shifted to one of communal warmth as students and staff gathered to share the hot meal.

In her opening address, Vice Chancellor for Student Services Rohane M. Derogongan delivered a stirring message that underscored the philosophy behind the new program.

“Because we believe that empowerment starts with taking care of one another, I am also delighted to announce that later in our program, we will be serving free arroz caldo for everyone,” she said.

“This is part of our ‘CommunIITy F.E.A.S.T. Food Program.’ We know that to move, to create, and to succeed academically, we must first be nourished. This warm meal is our way of saying that your well-being is our priority,” she added.

The initiative aligns with three key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by directly addressing food access and security; SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by promoting proper nutrition as a foundation for mental and physical health; and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by removing barriers to academic success such as hunger and financial stress.

Through free arroz caldo for all, the University has provided warm meals to nearly 180 individuals overall. Students and staff expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that gestures such as this reinforce support within the university.

The CommunIITy F.E.A.S.T. Food Program is envisioned to be a sustained effort, with the 91吃瓜-IIT planning future distributions to ensure that no student’s academic journey is hindered by an empty stomach. Through this program, the University continues to demonstrate that genuine transformation begins with compassion, community, and the simple yet powerful act of sharing a meal.

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