P17.8B proposed for feeding programs

CEBU, Philippines — The national government is proposing to spend P17.8 billion next year to provide nutritious meals to undernourished children in public schools and day care centers, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said Monday.

Under the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), P11.4 billion is earmarked for the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), while P6.4 billion is allocated for the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP).

Libanan disclosed the proposed allocations as the country marks the start of National Children’s Month this November.

He said Congress has a responsibility to ensure that public funds are spent wisely and that citizens are informed about government programs, particularly those directly benefiting vulnerable sectors.

“Proper nutrition is an essential investment in our children’s future,” Libanan said, noting that hunger can affect pupils’ ability to concentrate, participate in class, and keep up with lessons.

He said feeding programs could help remove hunger as a barrier to learning while providing children with a stronger foundation for growth and development.

The proposed funding comes amid continuing reports of hunger among Filipino families.

A Social Weather Stations survey found that 20.3 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the second quarter of 2026.

Meanwhile, an OCTA Research survey reported that self-rated hunger increased to 21 percent in July from 17 percent in March.

The SBFP provides nutritious meals to incoming kindergarten learners and pupils in Grades 1 to 6 identified as wasted, severely wasted, stunted, or severely stunted. It also covers learners at risk of dropping out and children from indigenous communities and indigent households.

The SFP, meanwhile, provides nutritious meals to preschool children enrolled in public child development centers and those participating in supervised neighborhood play activities.

The Department of Education administers the SBFP, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development implements the SFP.

Libanan also urged the government to maximize the programs’ benefits by sourcing food supplies, whenever possible, from local farmers and dairy producers.

This, he said, would allow the government to address child malnutrition while providing support to Filipino agricultural producers. — (FREEMAN)