By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday launched YorMilk 2.0: Kaagapay ng Batang Maynila sa Paglaki, significantly expanding the city’s milk feeding initiative from more than 21,000 beneficiaries in its first phase to 60,000 public school students.
The program was formally unveiled at Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc as part of the city government’s intensified campaign to combat child malnutrition and stunting among young learners.
Domagoso said the expanded initiative is a direct response to the country’s persistent nutrition challenges, emphasizing that malnutrition should no longer be ignored.
“Hindi na pwedeng itanggi at ikubli ang katatayuan ng ating bansa patungkol sa malnutrisyon. Huwag nang ikubli, huwag nang itanggi. Harapin natin, labanan natin,” the mayor said.
The mayor explained that YorMilk 2.0 ensures continuous nutritional support for children as they progress from daycare to kindergarten and eventually to Grade 1, helping sustain healthy growth during their formative years.
Beyond improving child nutrition, the program also strengthens the livelihood of Filipino dairy farmers by sourcing fresh milk directly from local producers, creating a stable market for their products while supporting public health.
National Dairy Authority (NDA) Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya lauded the city government for dramatically expanding the initiative, describing it as proof of the program’s success.
“Nung YorMilk 1 po, nakadalo din po kami. Nakita namin kung gaano ka-successful ang YorMilk 1 with 21,000 student beneficiaries. Ngayon, tumaas na ng 60,000 ang makakatanggap nitong milk feeding program sa ating mga bata,” Andaya said.
Andaya also shared that he personally benefited from a similar milk feeding program during his childhood, saying the experience left a lasting impact that he now shares with his grandchild.
He noted that the city’s commitment has likewise become a lifeline for local dairy farmers, many of whom previously struggled to sell their milk after government feeding projects ended.
Recalling an earlier conversation with Domagoso, Andaya said the mayor vowed to buy unsold milk from local farmers and distribute it to Manila’s schoolchildren.
“Kung itatapon niyo lang ang gatas, dalhin ninyo sa Maynila, bibilhin ko at ipaiinom ko sa batang Maynila,” Andaya quoted the mayor as saying.
According to the NDA chief, that commitment has now become a reality through YorMilk, benefiting both Filipino farmers and thousands of children in Manila’s public schools.
“Hindi ka man farmer, city boy ka, hindi man sila ang direktang nakinabang sa pagbili ng gatas na ‘to, subalit sa nakikita nila, nakita nila sa’yo, may puso ka para sa magsasaka,” Andaya added.
City officials said the expanded YorMilk program forms part of Manila’s broader health and education agenda aimed at reducing childhood malnutrition while promoting stronger partnerships with the country’s agricultural sector.
ia/xf
