Expanded School Feeding Program Rolls Out Nationwide for Young Learners

News | National Posted on 2026-07-08 09:51:15

MANILA – The national government has launched the expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), extending free nutritious meals to all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners in public schools as part of efforts to combat hunger and improve children's learning outcomes.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the nationwide kickoff of the program and the Milk Feeding Activity at Pulilan Central School in Bulacan on Wednesday, emphasizing that no child should have to study on an empty stomach.

The President said the expansion was driven by the need to reach more learners affected by hunger, which continues to hinder academic performance and overall development.

Under the enhanced SBFP for School Year 2026-2027, all Kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils will automatically receive school meals, replacing the previous system that limited assistance to selected beneficiaries. The program will also continue providing hot meals, nutritious food products, and milk to wasted and severely wasted learners from Grades 2 to 6, along with other eligible recipients under Department of Education (DepEd) nutrition programs.

Marcos also underscored the program's dual benefit of improving child nutrition while supporting local agriculture. He said food for the feeding initiative will be sourced, as much as possible, from local farmers and producers, providing them with a stable market for their products.

The School-Based Feeding Program is DepEd's flagship nutrition initiative implemented under Republic Act No. 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.

The nationwide launch included the serving of hot meals to students and the signing of a Joint Administrative Order between the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture to strengthen coordination in implementing the feeding program.

According to DepEd, the expanded initiative aims to reduce hunger and malnutrition, improve school attendance and academic performance, and promote the overall health and well-being of Filipino learners.

At Pulilan Central School alone, more than 775 learners are expected to benefit from the program this school year.

NPO NEWS TEAM | PNA-PR

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