Drilon leads school milk feeding drive

More than 530 Grade 1 pupils of the Pinaglabanan Elementary School in San Juan got off to a healthy start for the year 2000 as Alaska Milk Corporation, the Violeta Drilon Foundation, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), Tetra Pak Philippines, and WG&A formally launched last Feb. 16 this year's Project School Milk drive, a milk-feeding program that aims to address the protein and calcium deficiencies among undernourished and underprivileged schoolchildren in the country.

Mila Serrano Genuino-Drilon, wife of incoming Senate President Franklin Drilon, graced the rites as guest of honor and stressed the importance of milk in a child's daily diet. While noting that there is a gradual decline in the number of underweight and stunted schoolchildren in the country, Drilon pointed out that protein energy malnutrition still continues to plague more than one million Filipino children. Two to three million youngsters, on the other hand, remain underweight.

"We can improve the lives of our children by improving their health," said Drilon as she rallied mothers and teachers who gathered for the event to protect and promote the health of children. She likewise brought into light an unseen "sickness" that plagues many children today," child hunger.

Child hunger is an alarming condition among schoolchildren that slows brain development and retards the formation of teeth and bones. It also causes lack of concentration and weakness, making children inattentive and inactive in class. According to studies made by the DECS Nutrition Office, children who skip breakfast tend to develop child hunger compared to those who takes time to finish their cup of milk and pandesal. Studies also show that due to the increasing pace of industrialization, parents today opt to give their children junk food that are low in nutrition.

"Many schoolchildren today skip breakfast either because their parents have no time to cook or the family is too poor to afford a decent breakfast," explained Drilon. "Project School Milk aims to fill the nutritional gap made by missing this important meal."

Under the program, free chocolate-flavored milk in non-commercial packs will be given to Grade 1 students of selected schools during recess time. According to research, milk becomes effective only after 120 days. Thus, the pupils will be given free milk every school day in a span of 24 weeks.