500 Sta. Rosa learners to benefit from 100-Day Milk Feeding Program under multi-stakeholder partnership with ABI Pascual

MOA Signing in Makati underscores strengthened public-private partnership to boost local dairy production and improve child nutrition

via GRAPHIC PLUS | Makati City, Philippines (June 23, 2026) — ABI Pascual Foods, Inc., together with the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the City Government of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, formally launched a 100-day milk feeding program aimed at improving the nutritional status of public school learners and addressing malnutrition among young children.

Anchored on a shared commitment to child health and sustainable nutrition, the initiative will benefit 500 students from Kinder to Grade 6 at Malitlit Elementary School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, with implementation set to begin in September 2026. The 100-day duration aligns with the minimum period for Nutritional Status Evaluation, allowing participating agencies to monitor improvements in students’ growth and nutritional outcomes over the course of the program. The initiative forms part of the National Dairy Authority’s Private Sector-Funded Milk Feeding Program and marks ABI Pascual Foods as the first private sector partner to actively support and implement NDA’s milk-feeding initiatives at scale—helping expand access to nutritious milk products in schools as part of efforts to address malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies among Filipino children.

“This program is about building a system that supports Filipino children’s nutrition in a sustained way,” said Michael G. Tan, ABI Pascual Foods, Inc. Board Member. “We see this as a long-term investment in both child development and the local dairy industry, made possible through strong collaboration with government partners.”

This comes amid continuing concerns over childhood nutrition in the Philippines, where studies indicate that approximately 94% of Filipino children are calcium deficient, underscoring the need for sustained, nutrition-based interventions during early learning years.

As the country continues to address childhood malnutrition, long-term nutrition programs supported by multi-sector partnerships are becoming increasingly critical. Milk feeding initiatives not only improve immediate dietary intake among learners but also help strengthen demand for locally produced milk, supporting Filipino dairy farmers and the broader dairy value chain.

For the National Dairy Authority, the initiative highlights how nutrition programs can be designed to deliver both social and economic value. 

“What makes this initiative meaningful is how it connects nutrition with local production,” said Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya, Administrator of the National Dairy Authority. “By working with committed private sector partners, we are able to expand access to milk feeding programs while creating more stable opportunities for Filipino dairy farmers.”

Strengthening nutrition outcomes through local implementation

Under the 100-day program, participating students will receive daily milk servings to support nutritional improvement and enable proper assessment of growth and health outcomes. The program is implemented in close coordination with DepEd and the City Government of Sta. Rosa to ensure efficient delivery, monitoring, and community engagement.

“When children are properly nourished, we see improvements not only in attendance but also in their ability to focus and learn,” said Mr. Hereberto Jose D. Miranda, School Division Superintendent of the Department of Education. “This program helps ensure that our learners are given the basic support they need to succeed in school and in life.”

The City Government of Sta. Rosa likewise emphasized the importance of sustained, collaborative interventions at the local level.

“At the local level, nutrition is something we see and feel every day in our homes and classrooms,” said Hon. Arlene Arcillas, Mayor of Sta. Rosa, Laguna. “We are grateful for this partnership because it helps ensure our children receive consistent nutritional support and strengthens the well-being of our community.”

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of ABI Pascual Foods and the National Dairy Authority to promote sustainable nutrition solutions and strengthen the local dairy industry through multi-sectoral partnerships. By linking school-based feeding programs with support for Filipino dairy farmers, the initiative contributes to broader national goals of improved nourishment, child development, and the long-term development of the agricultural sector.