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The DSWD Field Office 7–Central Visayas prepares for Cycle 15 of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) implementation starting July 24, 2025.

From left: Cangmundo Sustainable Livelihood Program of Brgy. Cangmundo, Getafe, Bohol, and Catarman Market Vendors Association of Brgy. Catarman, Dauis, Bohol—two accredited local enterprises supplying raw materials for the implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program Cycle 15.

The program will benefit 150,637 children aged 2 to 5 years old who are enrolled in public child development centers and supervised neighborhood playgroups, commonly referred to as daycare centers, across the region.

In preparation for this 120-day feeding initiative, DSWD 7 conducted a series of Supplier’s Coordination Meetings from June 24 to 25, 2025, in Cebu City, bringing together accredited suppliers who will provide the necessary raw materials essential to the implementation of the hot meal and milk feeding.

During daycare sessions, SFP provides children with nutritious meals and milk to address common indicators of malnutrition, particularly stunting, wasting, and underweight. Beyond feeding, the program also promotes continuous advocacy for proper nutrition in both schools and households.

For Cycle 15, some six (6) contracted suppliers under public bidding and 21 Community-Based Organizations, or CBOs (Local Cooperatives and Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations, or SLPAs), under Negotiated Procurement—Community Participation have been accredited to supply the raw materials needed for the feeding program, which has an allocated budget of Php 225.9 million dedicated to hot meals and Php 77.6 million for milk feeding.

CBOs and SLPAs are composed primarily of small entrepreneurs, farmers’ cooperatives, livelihood associations, and partner beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), under the DSWD’s Enhanced Partnerships Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) initiatives.

The 15 accredited Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are located throughout the region as follows: 7 in Cebu, 2 in Bohol, 5 in Negros Oriental, and 1 in Siquijor. Additionally, the 6 Social Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) include 1 in Cebu, 4 in Bohol, and 1 in Negros Oriental.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero emphasized that by directly engaging CBOs and SLPAs, the DSWD’s feeding program ensures the availability of local logistics, faster delivery of goods directly to daycare centers, and better handling of perishable items. “Both EPAHP and SLP are doing an excellent job of connecting small and start-up enterprises, including cooperatives, to institutional markets. We hope that through these PHP 31.3 million worth of contracts, they will be able to grow and strengthen their capacities as business owners,” the director added.

SFP will be implemented in 131 LGUs in Central Visayas, reaching thousands of children in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, and areas under the Negros Island Region, which include Siquijor and Negros Oriental. The NIR is currently in transition and included in the regional implementation plan.

DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 26, Series of 2024, which outlines the omnibus guidelines for hot meals and milk feeding provisions, guided the implementation of SFP Cycle 15. Among its key features are the accreditation of CBOs and SLPAs through the Negotiated Procurement-Community Participation (NP-CP) mode and the Transfer of Funds scheme to LGUs, enabling them to take a more hands-on role in procuring supplies and managing the feeding.

Linkage to institutional markets

With the budget allocation for Cycle 15 of SFP, CBOs and SLPAs got 13% of the total contract value.

The Enhanced Partnerships Against Hunger and Poverty began endorsing community-based organizations in 2022, resulting in over Php 81.5 million worth of secured contracts. In 2024, the SFP started accrediting organized associations under the Sustainable Livelihood Program, awarding a total of Php 2.4 million in contracts to participating associations.

Cycle 15 Suppliers: Together with Karen Ann T. Archival, Operations Monitoring Officer of EPAHP, and Ma. Giovanna Roselyn V. Abada, Regional Partnership Officer of SLP, the accredited CBOs and SLPAs proudly flash their smiles during the SFP Suppliers’ Meeting held on June 25, 2025, at the Montebello Hotel, Cebu City

Among those awarded for Cycle 15 is the Maningcao Pantawid Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (MAPA-SLPA) from Sibulan, Negros Oriental. According to its president, Lenie O. Taghap, this marks their first experience joining the bidding process and receiving a government contract.

“Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa SLP tungod sa oportunidad nga ilang gihatag kanamo nga mga participants, labi na gyud kami nga mga Pantawid beneficiaries nga nahimong SLPA. Sulod sa walo ka tuig, nagmalungtaron ang among asosasyon pinaagi sa tabang ug paningkamot sa SLP aron masuportahan ang mga sama namo,” Taghap expressed.

She also extended her gratitude to the SFP for the opportunity, sharing her hope that this partnership will open more doors and serve as a promising beginning for future collaborations. ###