Nieto revives ‘CAINTAyo’ feeding program

The local government of Cainta, Rizal is set to revive the “CAINTAyo” feeding program this year, according to Mayor Keith Nieto.

The program, which was launched before the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to provide free meals to residents from informal settler communities in the town.

“Yes, we will revive it. It worked really well for us. It happened before the pandemic,” Nieto told members of the PaMaMariSan-Rizal Press Corps during a press conference on Friday.

The feeding initiative previously began on 30 January 2019 along Westbank Road, Floodway, in Barangay San Andres, where meals were served nightly to residents in the area.

“At a particular time, 5 o’clock in the afternoon, everyone who is hungry in a particular area can go and get the free meal,” Nieto said.

Nieto said the program is among the social services he plans to resume, noting that he has been back in office for six months. He added that discussions have already been held with the local government’s general services office in preparation for its return, which he said could begin by January 2026.

He said the program previously relied on regular food deliveries and support from private benefactors.

The mayor also encouraged private individuals to sponsor meals for residents in informal settler communities, saying this would allow donors to directly see where their contributions go.

Under the program’s guidelines, beneficiaries are required to line up at 6 p.m. to receive a meal consisting of two viands and a cup of rice. Participants are also required to bring their own utensils.

Nieto likewise invited members of the PaMaMariSan-Rizal Press Corps to sponsor the first meal once the feeding program resumes.