Iloilo City: Around 8,000 daycare children in Iloilo City are set to benefit from a supplementary feeding program (SFP) initiated by the local government in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6).

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-6 Regional Director Arwin Razo and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Tre±as formalized the program's implementation by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Tuesday, with the program scheduled to commence in June 2025. The signing ceremony was attended by city Social Welfare and Development officer Teresa Gelogo, DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations Katherine Joy Lamprea, and Councilor Alan Zaldivar.

The agreement stipulates that the DSWD will provide PHP22.83 million to the city government to supply daily meals to 7,611 children aged 3 to 5 years over a 120-day period. However, Mayor Tre±as expressed intentions to extend the program throughout the entire 10-month daycare period, emphasizing the importance of providing meals while the children are at the center.

The city government will contribute an additional PHP17.16 million to ensure the program reaches all 8,000 projected beneficiaries. The funding arrangement will allow for meal provision over 200 days, with the city covering the days not funded by the DSWD.

Gelogo mentioned that they are currently awaiting the full liquidation of last year's budget before the DSWD can release funds for the 2025 to 2026 cycle. Additionally, the city will return PHP43,000 in excess funds from the PHP25 million allocated for a similar initiative last year.

Razo highlighted the program's potential impact on addressing child stunting during his remarks at the agreement signing.