The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has revived a milk feeding program it started over two decades ago which sought to address malnutrition in the poorest communities in Metro Manila.
At least three depressed areas in the capital have been initially chosen for the 120-day feeding program, according to PCSO Chair Margarita Juico. The program is expected to benefit children aged two to seven years.
In a statement, Juico said the charity office would be assisted by the National Dairy Administration for project, which is also expected to give the local milk industry a boost after President Benigno Aquino III instructed PCSO to get the milk from local producers.
“All dairy products that PCSO distributes will come from local farms. It is the instruction of the President to patronize our own Philippine products,” she said.
On Monday, Juico led the agency in activities launching the feeding program at Sitio All-Top Compound in Barangay Merville, Parañaque City, where some 150 toddlers had been classified as malnourished.
The program will also cover two sites in Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City and Sitio Gasangan in Tondo, Manila.
The children’s health will be monitored for the next six months, Juico said.
The official recalled that a similar feeding program was run by the PCSO during the time of then President Corazon Aquino.
“Tita Cory didn’t have a First Gentleman, so she created the Bigay Puso Committee made up of spouses of Cabinet members and wives of commanding generals from the different services of the Armed Forces,” said Juico, who was a close aide of the late President. Miko Morelos