In a bid to combat malnutrition and support early childhood development, the Iloilo City government has partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI to implement the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) for children in public daycare centers.
The program, formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and DSWD Western Visayas Regional Director Arwin Razo, will provide additional nutritional support to children aged 2 to 5 enrolled in the city’s Child Development Centers (CDCs).
The SFP has earmarked a P22.8-million grant to benefit over 7,600 Ilonggo children.
“Our goal is to ensure that every child in our public daycare centers receives proper nutrition to support their growth and development,” Treñas said.
“However, we need an additional P10 million to fully cover all children in need, and the city is committed to finding this amount to make sure no one is left behind,” he added.
The program aims to provide children with nutritionally balanced meals during their time at the daycare centers, addressing gaps in their daily dietary needs. It also seeks to raise awareness among parents and communities about the importance of proper nutrition in the formative years of a child’s life.
Iloilo City Councilor Alan Zaldivar, chairperson of the Committee on Social Services, pledged the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s full support for the program, recognizing its role in reducing malnutrition rates and boosting school readiness among young children.