A 120-day milk supplementation program is soon to benefit parents and daycare pupils in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. This goal was concretized in a meeting with Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and key stakeholders last November 4 in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
The PCC National Impact Zone (NIZ) together with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD) organized the said orientation meeting which was attended by the technical working group composed of PCC NIZ Coordinator Wilma Del Rosario, Municipal Health Unit (MHO) focal person Lorie Umpada, MSWD focal person Vangie Mercado and Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Carabao Cooperative (NEFEDCCO) representative Janice Domingo. Aliaga Mayor Gonzalo “Boy” Moreno, PCC at Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Center Director, Dr. Daniel Aquino, PCC Senior Science Research Specialist, Ma. Theresa Sawit, and NEFEDCCO chairman Gerardo delos Santos.
The orientation aimed to inform the parents and the pupils the importance of drinking carabao’s milk and to lessen the problem of the increasing number of malnourished children in the country and to help the dairy farmers in the distribution and marketing of their milk produce.
Nutritionists approve of the benefits of carabao’s milk. Studies show that carabao’s milk contains riboflavin or vitamin B2 needed for normal growth, an agent against skin swelling, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, and dizziness. Its vitamin A content is good for maintaining good eyesight while vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus are valuable nutrients for strong teeth and bones.
The said milk supplementation program will be funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Office.
It was also agreed in the meeting that the MSWD will first get consent of parents before the implementation of the program.
NEFEDCCO is tapped as the milk supplier for the said feeding program. Select NEFEDCCO staff have undergone training on milk processing under PCC for this purpose.
The launching of the program is scheduled on November 21.
