Partnership will provide daily milk feeding for 504 learners in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, while creating a market for locally produced dairy through the Sagip Saka procurement mechanism
STA. ROSA, LAGUNA — ABI Pascual Foods, Inc. is extending its commitment to child nutrition and local dairy development as the first private-sector partner of the National Dairy Authority’s (NDA) Private Sector-Funded Milk Feeding Program, supporting daily milk feeding for 504 learners at Malitlit Elementary School through 2027.
Building on an initial 100-day rollout at Malitlit Elementary School, the expanded commitment aims to sustain access to fresh, locally produced milk for schoolchildren while generating reliable, long-term demand for local dairy farmers under the Sagip Saka Act (Republic Act 11321).
“Nutrition requires consistency to make a lasting difference,” said Javier Palomino, ABI Pascual Foods, Inc. Managing Director. “By expanding our commitment to the program, we ensure that these learners receive sustained nourishment needed to truly thrive in the classroom, while supporting local dairy farmers through more reliable market demand.”
During its initial 100-day phase, the program will procure and distribute over 10,000 liters of fresh milk, equivalent to 50,400 bottles, directly sourced from Katipunan ng Kooperatibang Manggagatas, Inc., a local dairy cooperative based in Laguna. This initial stage represents an estimated ₱1.26 million contract value, providing immediate revenue to local farming cooperatives.
Sustaining School Nutrition Through Daily Milk Feeding
The initiative officially kicked off in October at Malitlit Elementary School, marking the pioneer launch under the NDA’s Private Sector-Funded Milk Feeding Program, in coordination with the Department of Education and the City Government of Sta. Rosa.
Under the program, each of the 504 Kindergarten to Grade 6 beneficiaries receives a 200ml bottle of fresh pasteurized local milk during their daily session, with teachers and school health coordinators supervising consumption and tracking attendance in real time.
“Milk feeding programs help support school-aged children’s growth and development by addressing their nutritional needs, which are essential to learning and reaching their full potential,” said NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya. “Through partnerships with the private sector such as ABI Pascual, we can help sustain these initiatives and ensure that more Filipino learners receive the nutritional support they need to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.
Before the official rollout, participating students underwent baseline health assessments and weight measurements to establish a reference point for monitoring progress as the program is implemented throughout the year. These metrics serve as a scientific reference point to evaluate progress in terms of student growth, attendance, and classroom engagement throughout the program’s execution.
Progress updates will be shared periodically with health and education stakeholders, particularly at the 100-day mark, aligning with standard public health protocols for Nutritional Status Evaluation (NSE).
Creating Market Opportunities for Local Dairy Farmers
Beyond supporting child nutrition, the program is designed to create a direct market for locally produced dairy. For the initial 100-day feeding period, the program requires an estimated 10,080 liters of milk, equivalent to 50,400 bottles. At the current estimated price of ₱25 per bottle, the procurement represents a potential contract value of ₱1.26 million.
Daily supply for the initiative will be provided by KKMI, Southern Luzon’s largest dairy processing cooperative, operating out of Calauan, Laguna, to deliver fresh, locally produced milk directly to classrooms daily.
The procurement will use the negotiated procurement mechanism under the Sagip Saka Act (Republic Act No. 11321), which facilitates direct purchases of agricultural and fishery products from qualified farmers, fisherfolk, and their organizations, subject to applicable requirements.
Through this mechanism, the program can connect school feeding requirements with a market for local dairy products, helping provide participating cooperatives with sales opportunities while supporting the development of the domestic dairy industry.
“Connecting school feeding initiatives with direct local procurement under the Sagip Saka Act creates a win-win model for both child health and local agriculture,” stated NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya. “Guaranteed demand from committed private sector partners like ABI Pascual gives our dairy farmers the economic stability they need to be able expand their herds and boost local production.”
A Collaborative Model for Nutrition and Dairy Development
The initiative builds on a collaborative public-private agreement signed in Makati City last June, bringing together corporate, institutional, and municipal leadership.
The first NDA Milk Feeding Program operates as a multi-stakeholder model where ABI Pascual Foods, Inc. funds procurement and program expansion, while the NDA manages supply chain coordination and cooperative vetting under the Sagip Saka Act. Program execution inside the school is managed by the DepEd Division of Sta. Rosa, which oversees distribution and academic tracking, supported by the City Government of Sta. Rosa for localized health monitoring and community engagement.
“Public-private alliances succeed when every partner brings its core strengths to the table,” Palomino noted. “What we are building at Malitlit Elementary School with the NDA, DepEd, and the Sta. Rosa LGU is more than a feeding program—it is a clear, repeatable blueprint for how corporate resources and public policy can unite to achieve long-term child nutrition and national dairy self-sufficiency.”
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 Private Sector-Funded Milk Feeding Program, supporting daily milk feeding for 504 learners at Malitlit Elementary School through 2027.){kind=link}