The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has launched a 120-day milk feeding program targeting at least 350 children in an effort to further improve the health and nutrition of children in the province.

In partnership with the Philippine Carabao Center, the program, which was rolled out on Monday for select children aged 3 to 5 years, aims to address not only the kids’ health but also the economic situation of local dairy farmers.

“We are prioritizing wasted and severely wasted 3 to 5 years old kids,” provincial nutrition action officer Elma Irapta told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.

“Wasted children” refers to children who are severely underweight for their height, indicating acute malnutrition.

Irapta said they continue to reach out to different local government units in the province for an orientation with the target beneficiaries, their parents and the village health and nutrition workers.

According to Irapta, the supplementary feeding program is being sustained this year following a significant improvement in the nutrition status of Ilocos Norte children.

In line with the national government’s effort to address child malnutrition and promote local dairy production, the Provincial Nutrition Action Center is zeroing in on malnutrition across the province.

The continuing feeding program is part of the implementation of Republic Act 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act,” which mandates the provision of fresh milk and nutritious food products to children in public schools and poor communities. (PNA)