DA denies transfer of funds for milk feeding program

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) denied yesterday that public funds have been transferred to a non-government organization (NGO) or to lawmakers involved in the implementation of a milk feeding program that the Commission on Audit (COA) has questioned.

“The program does not involve fund transfer to legislators or NGOs,” the DA said.

“NDA (National Dairy Authority) procures fresh milk directly from local dairy farmers’ cooperatives/processors for the identified beneficiaries.

“It is in the same manner that we wish to clarify that the Assisi Development Foundation (ADF) did not receive funds from NDA, nor (did) it engage in milk production and processing in the course of the program’s implementation. It merely facilitated and assisted NDA in the screening, coordination and endorsement of children-beneficiaries from its diocese/local government partners.”

The COA has raised questions on the implementation and effectiveness of the P230-million milk feeding program implemented by the NDA and funded by the  Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The DA assured the public that all the milk packs procured under the program reached the intended beneficiaries.

“Milk feeding is a continuing program of NDA as part of its Dairy Enterprise Development Program, in which procurement of fresh milk is done directly from local dairy farmers cooperatives and processors,” the DA said.

The DA said only P1.63 million worth of milk products have been distributed to intended recipients, and that the amount represented merely 0.978 percent of the P167.44 million released to date by the Department of Budget and Management.

“On account of its noble objectives of alleviating malnutrition among Filipinos and accelerating the development of the local dairy industry, it was offered as part of the menu of programs that legislators may participate (in),” the DA said.

The program has catered to 137,609 beneficiaries, 85 percent of whom are children.

The DA is confident that the NDA can “justify its actions in relation to the findings” of COA.

The program involved the distribution of 200-mililiter packs of milk to children, pregnant women and senior citizens for 120 days in areas identified by lawmakers.

The ADF, co-chaired by President Aquino’s sister Viel Dee, helped identify the areas covered by the program.

The milk feeding program is meant to alleviate malnutrition among vulnerable members of the population and provide a market for local milk producers.