Historic Gota de Leche Building: A Milk Distribution Center for Undernourished Children Turned National Landmark

Gota de Leche Building

Arcadio Arellano

The Gota de Leche Building is a historic building located in the City of Manila, Philippines. It was built in 1912 as a milk distribution center for undernourished children. The building is located at 859 R. Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the area.

The building was designed by William E. Parsons, the architect behind the construction of the Manila Hotel and the Philippine General Hospital. It served as a milk distribution center for impoverished children in Manila, providing free milk to those who needed it most. The milk came from carabao (water buffalo) and cows that were kept on a dairy farm in Tagaytay.

Gota de Leche continued to provide free milk to undernourished children for several decades. During World War II, the building was used as an internment camp by the Japanese forces. After the war, the building was turned over to the Philippine government and was used as a health clinic.

In 2017, the Gota de Leche Building was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The building underwent extensive restoration to preserve its historical significance and it now serves as a museum showcasing its unique history and its role in helping undernourished children.

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