DEPUTY Speaker Janette Loreto-Garin strongly pushed for the expansion of the government’s feeding program for Filipino children during the Committee on Appropriations meeting discussing the substitute bill for the proposed “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act,” where she serves as one of the principal authors.
Garin underscored that investing in child nutrition is ultimately an investment in the country’s human capital, stressing that no child should be forced to study on an empty stomach.
Under the proposed measure, the program seeks to provide:
Around Php 10 billion for daycare children under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, covering 200 feeding days for approximately 2 million beneficiaries; and
around Php 43.2 billion for Phase 1 implementation under the Department of Education, covering Kindergarten to Grade 3 learners, targeting approximately 8 million schoolchildren for 200 feeding days.
Garin emphasized that the proposed allocations are intended solely for the direct cost of nutritious food, particularly those sourced from local farmers and fisherfolk, ensuring that government funds directly benefit both Filipino children and local food producers. She stressed that no portion of the proposed funding should be used for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) like meetings or orientations or kitchen tools other than food.
“Every peso should go to feeding children and supporting our farmers and local producers. This is about nutrition, education, and livelihood working together,” Garin said.
According to Garin, proper nutrition is directly linked to improved health, stronger cognitive development, better school participation, and higher learning outcomes among children.
“This is an investment in our children and in the country’s future. Nutrition is directly connected to learning, productivity, and long-term national development. If we want a stronger Philippines, we must start by ensuring that our children are healthy and well-nourished,” Garin stressed.
The substitute bill seeks to strengthen and expand the existing feeding program into a broader national nutrition program covering early childhood care and public school learners nationwide.
The measure also forms part of the priority legislative agenda under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) of President Bongbong Marcos
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