Kantina Para Sa Mag-aaral Act

Senate Mice of the factarg TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG 19 A9:43 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY 1212 S. No. - Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING SCHOOL CANTEENS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PROVIDING HEALTHY, BALANCED, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to give priority to education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, to promote total human liberation and development', and to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.? Furthermore, the State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition.3 The Philippines is facing both an education and nutrition crisis among its youth. UNICE has sounded alarms on a real and widespread learning crisis, as a vast majority of students are falling significantly behind in reading and mathematics. Meanwhile, the EDCOM Il's Year Two Report has found that millions of Filipino children remain chronically malnourished, facing challenges of poor health, inadequate nutrition, and limited learning capacity. Hungry children do not make good students.* The impact of malnutrition on academic performance is well-established, with studies showing its adverse effects on physical health, attendance, enrollment, and critical-thinking skills.5 1 CoNsT. art. II, sec. 17. 2 Const. art. II, sec. 15. 3 CoNst. art. XV, sec. 3(1). 4 Kenneth Hartigan-Go, Angel Faye Castillo and Melissa Louise Prieto, Hungry children do not make good students <https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/opinion-hungry-children-do-not-make-good- students/>. 5 Id.

Thus, this proposed measure seeks to deliver the country's nutrition program at the very frontlines of education. Specifically, the bill mandates the establishment of canteens in all public schools nationwide, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the National Feeding Program. Public and private organizations are also encouraged to participate in the pursuit of these objectives as donations to public schools for the purpose of establishing canteens will be exempt from donor's tax. Through these measures, the policy to ensure that no child is left behind can be better realized. In view of the foregoing, urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought. run: MARK A. VILLAR

Senate Office of the eecretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 25 AUG 19 A9:43 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY. SENATE S. No. 1212 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING CANTEENS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PROVIDING HEALTHY, BALANCED, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS 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 "Kantina para sa Mag-aaral

2 Act.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

promote the nutritional well-being and development of the children, recognizing the 5 critical role of nutrition in education, by ensuring access to adequate and nutritious meals in public schools.

Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to establish sustainable canteens in public

8 schools, which shall implement the National Feeding Program established under Republic 9 Act No. 11037 or the "Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act". Further, this Act targets to support the development of children through adequate nutrition, and to improve their nutritional status and learning capabilities.

Sec. 4. Establishment of School Canteens in Public Schools. - To support the

National Feeding Program under Republic Act No. 11037 and other related laws, the DepEd and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with other relevant agencies, shall establish free canteens with provisions for necessary basic facilities in every public school.

Sec. 5. Donations and Grants - Donations, grants, or assistance from government

units, parent-teacher organizations, and other civic organizations, both local and foreign, shall be encouraged and facilitated in accordance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 101 (A)(2) and (B)(2) of the National Internal Revenue Code, all gifts or donations to public schools for the purpose of establishing school canteens and the necessary basic facilities related or appurtenant thereto shall be exempt from donor's tax in accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of the

provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the current year of the DepEd, DPWH, and DOH. Thereafter, such sums, as may be necessary, for its continued implementation shall be included in the appropriation of the concerned departments and agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The DepEd, the DOH, the DSWD,

the NNC and other relevant agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) days upon the approval of this Act.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,