President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially rolled out the countrywide expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) on Wednesday, reaffirming his administration’s drive to wipe out hunger as a major barrier to student learning.
Speaking at the national launch held at Pulilan Central School in Bulacan, the President stressed the critical need for student nutrition, explaining that the government decided to widen the program’s reach after recognizing that prior constraints left numerous children unsupported.
“Ito’y napakalaking bagay para sa akin dahil alam naman natin na minsan ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit hindi makapag-aral nang maigi ang kabataan ay kulang sa pagkain,” Marcos said.
He emphasized the government’s duty to safeguard student welfare, adding:
“Kaya tinanggal na natin ‘yang problema na ‘yan para tiyak tayo na lahat ng pupunta sa eskwelahan ay hindi na iintindihin ang kanilang kakainin. Ang pamahalaan na ang tutulong at ang pamahalaan na ang magpapakain.”
Under the expanded guidelines, the SBFP will transition away from selective screenings to offer universal coverage for all Kindergarten and Grade 1 students nationwide. This strategic shift guarantees uniform implementation so that no early learner has to study on an empty stomach.
In addition to fighting malnutrition and childhood stunting, the project aims to stimulate regional economies. The President noted that the program intentionally sources its supplies from neighborhood farmers and agricultural producers instead of massive retail corporations.
“Hindi kami bumibili sa malalaking grocery. Hangga’t maaari lahat ng feeding program… inuuna pong bilhin ang mga lokal na produkto. Mula ngayon, garantisado na ang kanilang mga merkado. Dito natin dadalhin para ipakain natin sa ating mga kabataan,” the President explained.
Operating under the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act (Republic Act 11037), the SBFP remains the Department of Education’s foundational nutrition strategy.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the agency will guarantee universal meals for early grade levels while sustaining targeted interventions—such as milk and hot meals—for undernourished students from Grades 2 to 6.
The launch featured the distribution of warm meals and the signing of a Joint Administrative Order between the education and agriculture departments, all geared toward boosting the health, attendance, and school performance of Filipino youth.
At Pulilan Central School alone, the initiative is slated to feed over 775 students this school year.