THE city government of Manila has launched a program that aims to provide free milk to about 21,000 preschool children in the city.
Mayor Isko Moreno launched on Monday the “Yormilk: Kaagapay ng Batang Maynila sa Paglaki” (Supporting the growth of the children of Manila) program in Barangay 137, Balut in Tondo district.
The initiative aims to address malnutrition among children in public day care centers in the city.
“In Manila, stunting continues to increase. It’s not because Filipinos are typically short in height, but because a lot of us are malnourished,” Moreno said in Filipino during the program's launch.
Under the initiative, 21,651 preschoolers will receive milk three times a week for 90 days, with distribution carried out through Child Development Centers (CDCs) in 436 barangay and supported by 423 child development workers.
According to the Manila Department of Social Welfare, about 1,593 "wasted" and "severely wasted pupils" are enrolled in the city’s 467 CDCs.
The term “wasted” refers to children who have low weight for their height, indicating acute malnutrition. “Severely wasted” children are those who fall far below healthy standards and face a much higher risk of illness and death if not promptly treated.
Moreno said that milk consumption is important in early childhood development, particularly for bone strength, immunity, and overall growth.
“Milk can be expensive,” the mayor said, noting that many families are forced by economic hardship to prioritize filling meals over nutritionally complete food.
Moreno added that the city opted to source fresh, locally produced milk rather than imported products, in line with food safety standards and to support Filipino farmers, in coordination with the Department of Health, the National Dairy Authority, and other partner cooperatives.
He assured parents that the program will not be a one-time effort and that it will renew the feeding cycle every three months if necessary.