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Legislators

Strengthening School-Based Feeding Program to Ensure Learner Nutrition

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A lawmaker has called on his colleagues in the House of Representatives to push for stronger implementation of the school-based feeding program to ensure learners can study properly. The program aims to provide nutritious food to Filipino children, hindering development due to malnutrition. House Bill No. 5681 has been filed to strengthen and update Republic Act No. 11037, ensuring that children who want to learn are not hungry.

The bill proposes to provide hot meals and milk-based supplements, allowing the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH) to create centralized school kitchens and source local food. The House is pushing for the allocation of over P12 billion under the DepEd's school-based feeding program for 2026, the highest-ever allocation. Despite a proposed P50 million cut, the allocation will still be under the DepEd budget.

Key Takeaways:

  • House Bill No. 5681 aims to strengthen and update Republic Act No. 11037, the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino (nutritious food for the Filipino child) Act.
  • The bill proposes to provide hot meals and milk-based supplements to Filipino children, ensuring they are not hungry while studying.
  • Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas filed the bill after the recent observance of School Health Week, citing malnutrition hindering the development of Filipino learners.
  • The proposed P12 billion allocation for the school-based feeding program for 2026 is the highest ever, despite a proposed P50 million cut.
  • The Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH) will work together to create centralized school kitchens and source local food.
  • Several issues regarding the school-based feeding program have raised concerns, including reports of spoiled food in some regions.

Statistics:

  • P12 billion proposed allocation for the school-based feeding program for 2026 (the highest ever).
  • P1.88 billion increment to the school-based feeding program changed to P1.83 billion, resulting in a P50 million cut.
  • 10 out of 17 regions received spoiled food, like milk and bread, as per Commission on Audit (COA) reports in 2024.

Sources:

  • Press Release from Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas's office, dated [no date].
  • Article by [no author] published in [no publication], dated [no date].
  • Commission on Audit (COA) reports in 2024.
  • The House of Representatives of the Philippines - Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) hearing on October 8, 2024.

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