The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center at Visayas State University (DA-PCC at VSU), together with the Baybay City Division, conducted an orientation and signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of School-based Milk Feeding Program (SBFP).
Dr. Ivy Fe M. Lopez, OIC-Center Director of PCC-VSU and Lorelei M. Mesias, Assistant OIC-Schools Division Superintendent and Jeanne Araneta, School Division Nurse spearheaded the orientation and MOA signing last July 16, 2020 at the Baybay City Division Office, Baybay City, Leyte. The activity was participated in by Baybay City schools feeding coordinators, and DA-PCC at VSU carabao-based enterprise development (CBED) program coordinator Johnson T. Royo, Jr. and Science Research Specialist I Letuz M. Sudaria.
“I’m glad that despite the pandemic, DA-PCC at VSU has proactively linked and partnered with us,” Mesias said. The agreement of DA-PCC at VSU and Department of Education (DepEd) directly supports RA 11037 Masustansyang Pagkain sa Batang Pilipino Act, which stipulates for the nationwide SBFP.
The feeding program aims to address undernourishment among public day care, kindergarten and elementary pupils in the country.
The Baybay City Division will be the first to conduct milk feeding in Eastern Visayas as per commitment by the DA-PCC at VSU. The program targets 2,275 beneficiaries covering the 10 school districts of Baybay City as expected drop-off points in the area within the period of 20 days.
An orientation on milk handling protocols was shared by Letuz M. Sudaria of DA-PCC at VSU where participants were taught of proper and safe distribution of milk to schools.
Dr. Lopez said the center is willing to help in terms of delivering milk to the assigned drop-off points. “This will be our counterpart to help alleviate malnutrition among children. Also, we are here to help our providers especially our local farmers and dairy cooperatives become the main suppliers for the feeding program.”
The milk feeding program, which supposedly started in March but was deferred due to the pandemic, will start on August 24 in time for the proposed opening of classes.
