Taking their cue from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to sustain the country’s agricultural sector, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is urging communities to support local farmers and small cooperatives by buying their produce for the upcoming Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP).

“‘Yung instruction ng ating Pangulo, sa ganitong programa dapat ang nakikinabang ay ‘yung mga magsasaka rin or ‘yung mga small agri coops sa lugar na iyon,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in a Palace press briefing on Tuesday.

Gatchalian said PhP5.182 billion had been allotted for this year’s SFP, which aims to reach 1.5 million children enrolled in child development centers (CDC) and supervised neighborhood play (SNP) facilities, formerly called “daycare centers,” across the country.

The DSWD Secretary said hot meals cooked in the kitchens of local government units or the teaching facilities themselves will be distributed to the young pupils age 3 to 6 years old.

The feeding program would last 120 days, but could be extended up to 180 days.

“We always encourage (participating communities) to do community procurement or use the Sagip Saka Law wherein napa-prioritize sa procurement process ‘yung mga magsasaka natin at ‘yung mga agriculture coops natin,” Gatchalian said.

The Sagip Saka Law, or Republic Act 11321, aims to empower farmers and fisherfolk by transforming them into entrepreneurs, thereby enhancing their productivity and overall quality of life.

Gatchalian said each meal will cost PhP25 yet complies with health standards set by the National Nutrition Council.

About PhP22 worth of fresh milk will also be given to every kid found to be undernourished at the beginning of the program. | PND