A local government-backed feeding program is giving underweight day care learners in Mangaldan, Pangasinan daily milk supplements as part of efforts to address childhood malnutrition and improve children's health and learning outcomes.

The municipal government of Mangaldan, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has enrolled 125 underweight learners from child development centers in a 180-day supplemental milk feeding program.

The initiative comes after local monitoring identified a significant number of underweight children attending day care centers across the town. At the Anolid Day Care Center alone, teacher Myrna De Vera handles 76 learners, four of whom are considered malnourished.

Aside from being underweight, some affected children also show reduced interest in classroom activities, according to educators.

Aji Cabrera, head of the General Services Office of Mangaldan, said the program aims to closely monitor the health progress of participating children.

“Sa mga bata na makikitang magaan ang timbang, ito’y tuloy-tuloy para ma-monitor ang kanilang timbang later on at makikita o ma-check ang kanilang health and wellness,” Cabrera said.

Under the program, children receive free milk during break time, while day care teachers monitor their development and nutritional status.

De Vera said the milk distribution targets children who need nutritional support.

“Binibigyan namin sila ng gatas… mga underweight, maliit, payat,” she said.

Parents like Brenda Barrozo have welcomed the initiative, citing its potential benefits to children's health.

“Mahalagang mabigyan sila ng gatas, at least maging maganda ang kalusugan nila,” she said.

Municipal officials said they will conduct another validation of underweight day care learners after the program to determine whether the intervention has been effective in improving the children's nutritional status.