Expanded National Feeding Program Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE POlite of the Ba? REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session AUG -7 P6:07 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. _ 1145 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT," APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, was enacted in 2018 to combat hunger and malnutrition among Filipino children, particularly those in public day care centers and public elementary schools. The law mandates the institutionalization of a national feeding program to ensure that children from the most vulnerable sectors receive adequate and nutritious food essential for their physical and cognitive development. Since its implementation, the program has shown encouraging results, with improvements in students' nutritional status and enthusiasm for learning. However, malnutrition and stunting remain major challenges for the country. Nearly one in every three Filipino children under the age of five is chronically malnourished. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in particular, has a staggering stunting prevalence of 45.2%, far exceeding the already concerning national rate of 28.8%.* Further, despite the presence of supplemental and school-based feeding programs, access remains limited. Only 23% of school children benefit from them and many children in day care centers are not covered at all.? This gap undermines the program's potential and leaves millions of Filipino children vulnerable to hunger and 1 UNICEF (2022), as cited by EDCOM II. Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) - Nutrition and Feeding. https://edcom2.gov.ph/media/2023/06/EDCOM2_Green-Paper_01-ECCD-Nutrition-and- Feeding_ 230615.pdf (Accessed on 01 July 2025). 2 PIDS and EDCOM II. Behind the Slow Start: An Assessment of Early Childhood Care and Development in the No. 2024-04. Published in May 2024. Available at https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/document/pidsdps2404.pdf (Accessed on 01 July 2025).

malnutrition, which contribute to the impairment of cognitive development, weakening of the immune system, and reduction of the ability of children to learn and engage in school. International data also highlights the connection between food insecurity and poor academic performance. In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which assesses the knowledge and skills of 15-year-old students in mathematics, reading, and science, more than a third of Filipino students reported not eating at least once a week due to financial constraints. 3 Countries where food insecurity is prevalent ranked among the lowest in the assessment, with the Philippines placing 77th out of 81 participating nations.4 Recognizing these challenges, the Department of Education has expanded the School-Based Feeding Program beginning School Year 2024-2025 to provide free hot meals, milk, and nutritious food products for all 220 days of the school calendar. This shift was based on previous findings that children tended to regress into malnutrition when school meals were provided for only 120 days. The longer feeding cycle is designed to sustain gains in health and learning, even through school breaks. Early reports are promising as over 57% of participating students said they felt more enthusiastic about attending school due to the feeding program.5 To build on this momentum, this measure seeks to make the expanded feeding program permanent and inclusive. The proposed amendments under this bill would also extend coverage to all children in public day care centers and all public school learners from Kindergarten through Grade 12, ensuring that the modifications to the program become a long-term commitment rather than a short-term initiative. These proposed amendments to the current law are intended as an investment in the country's future. Children cannot learn well if they are hungry, and no child should be forced to study on an empty stomach. By ensuring year-round access to nutritious meals for all public school and day care children, the Philippines can turn the tide against malnutrition, improve educational outcomes, and secure a brighter, healthier future for the next generation. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. OECD (2023), PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): The State of Learning and Equity in Education, PISA, OECD Publishing, Paris. Available at https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en (Accessed on 01 July 2025). CPBRD Facts in Figures. Philippines' Performance in the 2018 and 2022 PISA. Available at https://cpbrd.congress.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF2024-11-Philippines-Perf-in-the-2018-and- 2021-PISA.pdf (Accessed on 01 July 2025). PIA. PBBM, DepEd strengthen school-based feeding to boost student's health. 18 February 2025. Available at https://pia.gov.ph/pbbm-deped-strengthen-school-based-feeding-to-boost-students-health/ (Accessed on 01 July 2025).

• • SentatE afice of the are carp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG -7 P6:07 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1145 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT," APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Expanded National

2 Feeding Program Act."

SEC. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11037 is hereby amended, to read as

follows: "Section 4. National Feeding Program. - x x x (a) Supplemental Feeding Program for Day Care Children. - The DSWD, in coordination with the LGUs concerned, shall implement a supplemental feeding program for [undernourished] children [with] FROM ages three (3) to five (5) years. The Program shall be administered in day care centers or in any other facility which can be used for such purpose: Provided, That the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1) fortified meal for a period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year: Provided, further, That in the preparation of fortified meals, the DSWD shall work in collaboration with recognized parents' organizations;

(b) School-Based Feeding Program. - The DepED shall implement a school- based feeding program for [undernourished] public school [children] LEARNERS from kindergarten to grade [six (6)] TWELVE (12): Provided, That the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1) fortified meal [to all undernourished public elementary school children for a period of not less than one hundred (120) days in a year] FOR THE ENTIRE ACADEMIC CALENDAR EACH YEAR; xxX"

SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial

implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the Contingent Fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continuous implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD and the DepEd shall, in consultation with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to implement the provisions of this Act. Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws. Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,