On February 10, 2023, Pagadian City successfully launched their S.A.M. (Share-A-Milk) atbp, a Milk feeding program at Plaza Luz, Pagadian City. The said activity was attended by , City Mayor and Chairperson of CNC, Hon. Samuel S. Co, Hon. Dicky Fernandez, Hon. Sam Tyra Co and Hon. Jigger Ariosa, NNC9 DMO II Ms. Marie-Claire A. Gaas, City Administrator and Nutrition Action Officer, Engr. Joseph Isaias M. Quipot VI, CADD-Nutrition OIC Mary Joy P. Calimbo, members of the City Nutrition Committee, members of the Barangay Nutrition Committee, City Nutrition Program Coordinators, target beneficiaries aged 3-4 years old and their mothers/ caregivers.

The S.A.M. (Share-A-Milk) atbp, a Milk feeding program was initiated by the Community Affairs Development Division - Nutrition Section Pagadian City headed by the City Administrator and City Nutrition Action Officer Engr. Vince Quipot and CADD-Nutrition OIC Mary Joy P. Calimbo. This event was also supported by the PagMUGNA (Pagadian Events Group). They provided entertainment for the kids such as mascots and magicians. They also donated ice cream, cotton candies, and party bags with goodies.

This program targets three hundred seventy-one (371) identified underweight children aged 3 to 4 years old wherein, a bottle of milk will be given to the identified beneficiaries for twenty consecutive days including weekends. A total of eight (8) barangays were included in this program. These are barangay San Jose, Sto. Nińo, Balangasan, Tuburan, Kawit, Gatas, San Pedro, and Dumagoc.

The city also ensured that milk products were not given to children below two years of age to enforce and protect the Executive Order no. 51 also known as the Philippine Milk Code. It needs to be protected from potentially harmful amendments which favor the milk industry over the health and development of infants and young children. In addition, this campaign also strengthens the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and complementary feeding with continued breastfeeding beyond six months. To make it as a health and nutrition intervention package, undernourished are also given other nutrition and health services such as nutrition assessment, and counselling. The National Nutrition Council IX (NNC9), will continuously support interventions initiated by Local Government Units and will closely monitor their implementation.

ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND