SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ (PIA) — The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) has intensified preparations for this school year’s School-Based Milk Feeding Program through a coordination meeting with 18 Luzon Schools Division Offices.
This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve child nutrition while boosting local agriculture.
Held at the PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool, the meeting focused on harmonizing implementation strategies, policy directions, and operational mechanisms to ensure the timely and effective rollout of the program.
PCC Executive Director Liza Battad welcomed the participants and highlighted Senator Francis Pangilinan’s support for enhancing the implementation of the milk feeding program through accredited local cooperatives nationwide.
During the activity, PCC National Milk Feeding Program Coordinator Ma. Theresa Sawit presented the program’s implementation plans for the incoming school year.
Part of the meeting was the discussion of the Joint Administrative Order of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which defines the roles and responsibilities of the DA, PCC, National Dairy Authority, and DepEd in implementing the milk feeding component.
Regional Milk Feeding Coordinators Vilma Gagni and Melinda Galacgac also shared successful implementation practices since School Year 2019, highlighting sustained collaboration with partner Schools Division Offices in ensuring efficient program delivery.
The participants likewise toured the PCC facilities to gain a deeper understanding of the agency’s programs and initiatives supporting the dairy carabao industry, reinforcing the government’s commitment to linking agricultural development with improved nutrition and better learning outcomes for Filipino children.
The strengthened coordination underscores the government’s continuing efforts to build healthier learners, promote inclusive agricultural growth, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local dairy farmers—key priorities under the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach to food security and human capital development. (CLJD/CNG, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
