The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region said it officially turned over bottles of fresh milk, worth P6,534,000, to support the implementation of the milk feeding program under the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) in Dumaguete City.
The initiative for 120 feeding days forms part of the DSWD’s sustained efforts to improve the nutritional status of young children enrolled in child development centers (CDCs) and those participating in supervised neighborhood play (SNP).
The program targets children three to four years old in CDCs and two to four years old in SNPs, by providing milk supplementation as a complement to the kids’ regular hot or alternative meals, the DSWD-NIR said Feb. 19.
The program implementation will be managed by parents and caregivers, with close supervision from child development workers (CDWs) and SNP workers to ensure proper and consistent feeding.
To monitor the impact of the intervention, beneficiaries will be weighed at the start of the feeding cycle and assessed monthly throughout the 120 feeding days, allowing for regular tracking of nutritional progress.
The turnover of fresh milk in Dumaguete City underscores DSWD-NIR’s continuing commitment to safeguarding child nutrition while fostering partnerships that promote community resilience, food security, and sustainable local development.
Beyond its health benefits, the milk feeding program also supports the local dairy industry, contributing to sustainable economic activities and livelihood opportunities for local farmers, while ensuring the steady supply of nutrient-dense food for young children, the DSWD-NIR stressed.
It is implemented under the broader SFP, which forms part of the department’s contribution to early childhood care and development. The SFP was further strengthened by the enactment of Republic Act 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, signed into law on June 20, 2018. ||
