THE Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) has benefited over 1.5 million children nationwide for school year 2023-2024.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said that as of March 30, the department has served 1,526,261 children enrolled in Child Development Centers (CDCs) and 33,198 children through Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) in 1,169 implementing local government units (LGUs).

"As mandated by the Marcos administration, through the recently signed Memorandum Circular 47, which calls for intensified support for the government's anti-hunger efforts, the DSWD will continue its collaboration with national agencies, LGUs, and development partners to strengthen our feeding program," Dumlao said.

The SFP is one of the DSWD's commitment to the government's Early Childhood Care and Development program and Republic Act 101037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.

"We are continuously monitoring and fast-tracking the implementation of the program before the school year ends, in partnership with the LGUs," Dumlao said.

Under the program, children ages 3-5 enrolled in CDCs and children ages 2-4 enrolled in SNPs are fed with Indigenous or locally produced food that corresponds to one-third of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake.

It also seeks to enhance the understanding, mindset, and action of children, parents and caregivers via increased nutrition and health education.

As head of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, the DSWD will continue to support the government's efforts to achieve zero hunger in the country.