Exapanded National Feeding Program Act

Senate Offier of the decretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG 19 A9:40 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1207 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM AND MANDATING THE PROCUREMENT FROM LOCAL OR SMALL-SCALE FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 11037 OR THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT". EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Constitution highlights the paramount importance of education with a separate and dedicated Article and several key provisions mandating the State to implement programs for its full development. Despite these constitutional mandates, the education sector continuously faces pressing challenges hindering progress and innovation. Tasked to undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) published its Year Two Report early this year. It found, among others, the prevalence of stunting in the Philippines remained persistently high from 2000 to 2020, with 26.7% of children under 5 affected as of 2021.1 Multiple studies have empirically established the negative effects of malnutrition on academic performance including a study which found that stunting, a consequence 1 "Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival," EDCOM II Year Two Report, 2025

of chronic undernutrition, not only hampers physical growth but also compromises cognitive function, educational achievement and future economic productivity. Enacted in 2017, Republic Act No. 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, institutionalized the National Feeding Program in public day care centers, kindergartens and elementary schools. However, EDCOM II reports that school-based feeding programs are beset by implementation challenges and poor monitoring and evaluation of outcomes?. While a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey last year shows that the number of Filipino families who experienced involuntary hunger rose from 22.9 percent in September 2024 to 25.9 percent in December 2024ª, with prevalent reports of high school students, especially from impoverished families, of going to schools on empty stomach. By extending the program to a full academic year and by including Junior and Senior High School students enrolled in public schools, this bill aims to strengthen and expand the coverage of RA 11037 and consolidate all existing feeding programs of other governmental agencies for a targeted and integrated delivery of services. The amendment also mandates that at least 40% of the supplies or produce to be used in the feeding program shall be directly sourced or purchased from local or small-scale farmers and fisherfolk or shall be in implemented pursuant to Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act. This is to promote and support farmers and fisherfolk in the locality. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR 2 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11049343/#B9-children-11-00476 4 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2024676/hunger-among-filipinos-hits-new-high-in-q4-2024-sws-survey

- * Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) First Regular Session 25 AUG 19 A9:40 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1207 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM AND MANDATING THE PROCUREMENT FROM LOCAL OR SMALL-SCALE FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 11037 OR THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT". 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 or the "Masustansyang Pagkain

4 Para sa Batang Pilipino Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 4. XXX (a) Supplemental Feeding Program for Day Care Children. - The DSWD, in coordination with the LGUs concerned AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND OFFICES CONDUCTING COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROGRAMS, shall implement a supplemental feeding program for under nourished children with ages three (3) to five years. The program shall be administered in a 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 THE DURATION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR [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 from kindergarten to grade [six (6)] TWELVE (12) ; Provided, That the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1) FULL fortified meal to [undernourished] all public KINDERGARTEN, elementary, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND SENIOR HIGH school [children] STUDENTS for la period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year)] FOR THE DURATION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR;" (c) xxx;

Sec. 3. A new sub-paragraph (0) under the same Section 4 shall be added and

read as follows: "Sec. 4. National Feeding Program. - xxx: PROCUREMENT OF PRODUCE OR SUPPLIES FROM SMALL (i) SCALE PRODUCERS - PURSUANT TO SECTION 11 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11321 OR THE SAGIP SAKA ACT, GOVERNMENT IS HEREBY MANDATED TO ENSURE THAT 40% OR MORE OF THE PRODUCE OR SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM UNDER THIS ACT SHALL BE PROCURED OR DIRECTLY PURCHASED FROM SMALL-SCALE PRODUCERS OR FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK AS CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE."

Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and such other relevant government agencies, nongovernment organizations, and development partners, shall promulgate their respective rules and regulations for the efficient and effective of this act. The implementing rules and regulations issued

1 pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in two (2) 2 national newspapers of general circulation.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders and rules, and regulations

6 contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 7 amended accordingly.

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

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