BASILAN – In a milestone initiative for child nutrition and food security, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Basilan, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), and the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), officially inaugurated the first Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Central Kitchen in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The launch took place on June 26, 2025, at the Provincial Government of Basilan Compound in Isabela City.
The BLT Central Kitchen is designed to serve young children up to 5 years old, as well as pregnant and lactating women in Isabela City and Lantawan. The initiative reflects a collaborative effort among local leaders, community stakeholders, and national partners to provide safe, nutritious meals to those who need them most.
Organizations under LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment (LIFE) Program began to lead conversations for the project in 2024, with support from ZFF already working in the province. Since its launch, the province of Basilan has been one of LIFE’s primary areas of focus, hence LCF’s hand in the partnership.
Recognizing the urgent need for nutrition interventions in Basilan, particularly among vulnerable children and mothers, the Provincial Local Government (PLGU), under Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman, committed to establishing the region’s first BLT Central Kitchen in partnership with JGF.
“We chose to begin in Basilan not only because of the high need, but also because of the strong commitment of the local government,” said LA Cruzat, JGF’s Program Director. “Kami po sa Jollibee Group Foundation ay puno ng pag-asa na mapapatakbo nang mahusay ang BLT Kitchen upang sa ganon ay marami pa tayong maabot at matulungan, hindi lang dito sa Basilan kundi sa iba pang probinsya sa BARMM.”
(“We at Jollibee Group Foundation are hopeful that the BLT Kitchen will run smoothly so that we may reach many others, not just here in Basilan but in other provinces across the BARMM as well.”)
Following the inauguration will be capacity-building training for Central Kitchen operations and recipe simulation activities for Muslim-friendly meals.
To date, a total of 37 BLT kitchens have been established nationwide—33 are currently operational, with 4 newly constructed kitchens. Fifteen of these kitchens are now serving as Kitchen Training Centers. In 2024, BLT kitchens served meals to 24,844 children in 250 schools across the country.
Under the broader Joy of Learning program, JGF’s BLT Central Kitchen Program demonstrates the power of community-based solutions in addressing malnutrition and stunting. By harnessing the strengths of partnership—resources, expertise, and a shared purpose—it sets a strong precedent for inclusive, community-led models in BARMM and beyond.
