DepEd Expands School-Based Feeding Program to Kindergartners
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) recently expanded the school-based feeding program to include all kindergarten learners. This new initiative aims to improve early childhood nutrition for millions of Filipino children nationwide.
Unveiled at Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Antipolo City, the expanded School-Based Feeding Program will run for 120 days. It seeks to provide hot meals and fortified food products to 3.4 million kindergarten pupils, as well as severely wasted and wasted learners from Grades 1 to 6. The program’s goal is to promote universal early nutrition, which is crucial for learning and development.
Nutrition Vital for Learning, Says Education Secretary
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of proper nutrition, saying, “Kapag may sapat na nutrisyon ang mga bata, mas madali silang matuto. Hindi natin kailangang hintayin na magutom o magkasakit sila bago tayo kumilos.” He highlighted that with strong government support, the program not only invests in education but also in lifelong health, productivity, and equity.
Data from previous feeding efforts show positive results. Last year, the number of severely wasted kindergarten children dropped significantly from over 113,000 to around 47,000. In regions like Cagayan Valley and Davao, cases of severe undernutrition among young learners decreased by nearly 80 percent.
Positive Impact Observed in Schools Nationwide
Teachers and school principals across the country have reported that children appear more alert, engaged, and ready to learn after receiving nutritious meals. These observations support the program’s role in boosting both health and academic performance.
However, DepEd and its partners stress that feeding alone is not enough. Coordinated efforts involving instruction, health services, parenting support, and school readiness are essential to sustain these improvements.
Community Role Crucial in Program Success
Secretary Angara called the program a collective effort. “Ang gobyerno ang nangunguna, pero mahalaga ang suporta ng buong komunidad,” he said. Parents, school officials, local government units, and barangay health workers must work together to ensure children are truly nourished and cared for, giving them the strength to thrive.
Future Plans to Enhance Feeding Program
DepEd plans to refine meal components, improve health data tracking, and expand partnerships with local farmers through home-grown school feeding models. These steps aim to strengthen the program’s sustainability and impact.
The department is also studying how to extend coverage further to Grades 1 to 3, who remain vulnerable to learning delays linked to nutrition deficits.
For more news and updates on school nutrition programs, visit Filipinokami.com.
