3,300 malnourished kids get free milk, bread in Caloocan

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri said yesterday some 3,300 malnourished children from different barangays in the city recently became beneficiaries of City Hall’s milk feeding program.

The mayor said the program covers children with ages three to six diagnosed by the local health unit as malnourished and needed supplemental feeding.

Echiverri said the children are given fresh milk and nutritious bread at least three times a week.

The feeding program currently being implemented will end in six months. The program was launched by the city health department, in coordination with the Liga ng mga Barangay president and City Councilor Ricojudge Janvier Echiverri and the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Also involved in the program are non-government organizations such as the Culion Foundation, the Theosophical Order of Service and the Caritas in coordination with the San Roque Parish.

The city health also provides medical care and examination of malnourished children in the cited areas, deworming, growth and weight monitoring and seminars for mothers of affected children.

Records at the city health department showed the areas included in the program are Barangays, 174, 175, 177 and 178 in Camarin; Phases 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Bagong Silang; Barangay 179 in Amparo; Barangay 164 at the NPC Area in Talipapa; Barangay 165 in Bagbaguin; Barangay 185 in Malaria, all of District 1 and Barangay 2 in District 2.

The program is also being conducted in local church parishes at the Sagrada Familia, San Jose Agudo, St. Pancratius, San Roque Cathedral, Santa Lutgarda, San Exequiel Moreno, Our Lady of Grace, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Birhen ng Lourdes, St. Gabriel, Sta. Quiteria, St. Joseph, Mary Help of Christians and the Julian Felipe Chapel. – With Pete Laude