Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has moved to expand the city’s nutrition efforts by ordering a large scale milk feeding program for preschool children enrolled in public day care centers, following city findings that hundreds of young learners are suffering from acute undernutrition.
The initiative, branded as Yormilk: Kaagapay ng Batang Maynila sa Paglaki, was introduced during a rollout in Barangay 137, Balut, Tondo. It covers children aged three to five and follows nutrition assessments conducted by the Manila Department of Social Welfare.
According to city records, 1,593 preschoolers enrolled in public child development centers have been identified as wasted or severely wasted, classifications used by health authorities to describe acute malnutrition. Wasted children have dangerously low weight for their height, while severely wasted children fall far below healthy standards and face a significantly higher risk of illness and death if not addressed.
The feeding program will cover 21,651 preschool children across Manila, with milk distributed three times a week over a 90 day cycle. Implementation will be handled through child development centers in 436 barangays, with 423 child development workers assigned to manage distribution and monitoring, based on official records from the city’s social welfare office.
Moreno said the program is a direct response to the rise in stunting and undernutrition among young children in the capital, emphasizing that the issue stems from nutritional gaps rather than physical traits.
“Nalulungkot ako na sa Maynila, sa Maynila mismo, sa kapitolyo ng bansa, ay lumalakas at lumalaki ang numero ng pagkabansot or stunting. Hindi dahil sa maliit ang lahi natin, kundi dahil kulang tayo ng tamang nutrisyon,” he said.
He pointed to the rising cost of milk as a major barrier for many families, noting that financial pressure often forces households to choose food that fills hunger but lacks essential nutrients.
“Mahal ang gatas. Mahal, kaya kung minsan mas nauuna nating bilhin ang mga bagay na makabubusog sa tiyan ng ating mga supling dala ng hirap ng buhay,” Moreno said.
City officials said the program uses fresh, locally sourced milk rather than imported products, citing food safety considerations and the goal of supporting Filipino farmers. The effort is being carried out in coordination with national agencies, including the Department of Health and the National Dairy Authority, along with partner cooperatives.
“Mas minabuti ko na sariwa, ligtas, malinis, at maayos na gatas na produkto mismo ng ating mga magbabaka sa Pilipinas,” Moreno said.
The mayor also referenced his own experience growing up in Manila, recalling government feeding programs that were available during his childhood.
“Noong araw, meron kaming Nutribun at KLIM powder milk, kaya kung bakit matitigas ang buto namin at mabilis kaming lumaki,” he said.
Moreno said the feeding cycle may be repeated every three months if necessary and signaled readiness to reallocate city funds to keep the program running.
“Kahit wala tayong pera, maghahanap ako ng pera para lang lumusog ang mga Batang Maynila,” he said.
He reminded parents that the milk distributed under the program is funded by public money and is intended exclusively for children enrolled in public day care centers.
“Itabi ninyo ’yan para sa anak ninyo. ’Yan ay pera nila galing sa taxpayer,” Moreno said.
The mayor credited barangay officials, partner agencies, and frontline workers for carrying out the program and expressed hope that the intervention would strengthen children’s health and readiness for formal schooling.
“Gusto ko, mga bata, malusog kayo at tumangkad kayo agad,” he said.
