KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 12, in partnership with the USM-Philippine Carabao Center and the National Dairy Authority (NDA) as well as concerned local government units, has started in January a 120-day milk feeding program for more than 4,000 undernourished children and women in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Cotabato Province, and Sarangani.
A report from DSWD 12 at the meeting of the Task Force GATAS on Thursday, February 9, indicated that at least 1,594 undernourished children and 2,592 undernourished women are being served with milk in an effort to improve their nutritional status.
The report also shows that undernourished children benefiting from the milk feeding program include 395 in Kabacan, 52 in Carmen, 226 in Libungan, 176 in Midsayap, 107 in Pres. Roxas, 137 in Magpet, 216 in Makilala, and 135 in Antipas in North Cotabato, and 150 in Surallah in South Cotabato. These beneficiaries are being served with milk produced by the USM-Philippine Carabao Center.
Meanwhile, severely undernourished and undernourished women targeted in the milk feeding program consist of 224 in Tacurong City, 436 in Lambayong, 140 in Pres. Quirino, and 200 in Esoeranza in Sultan Kudarat Province; 350 in Tupi and 150 in Banga in South Cotabato; and 200 in Alabel, 200 in Malapatan, 150 in Maasim, 150 in Kiamba, 150 in Maitum, and 242 in Malungon in Sarangani Province. These women are being served with milk supplied by the National Dairy Authority.
This milk feeding program is in accordance with Soccsksargen Region's celebration of March as "Buwan ng Gatas."
In the entire Philippines, only Soccsksargen or Region 12 has designated an entire month for promotion of public awareness on milk production and consumption.
On December 7, 2022, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 12 passed Resolution No. 156 declaring the month of March as "Buwan ng Gatas" in the Soccsksargen Region.
Highlights of the Milk Month celebration include milk feeding programs, public awareness campaigns on the value of milk, presentation of milk programs, and data benchmarking. (PIA Soccsksargen)
