Expanded National Child Feeding Program Act

Scrate Office of the succhap TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 25 SEP 10 P6:28 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE 5. No. 1375 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JV EJERCITO AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC DAY CARE CENTERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 4 (A) AND 4 (B) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The strength of any nation lies in the health and promise of its children. Yet in the Philippines, too many young lives continue to be held back by hunger and malnutrition. Recent data from UNICEF show that nearly three in every ten Filipino children under five are stunted, amounting to almost three million children whose growth and potential are compromised from the very start Food insecurity lies at the heart of this crisis. Recent UNICEF findings show that half of Filipino children under five live in food poverty, while 13% endure severe food poverty, eating from only two or fewer of the eight essential food groups each day. 1 Such conditions rob children not only of nutrients but of also of opportunities. ' UNICE Philippines. (2025). National Nutrition Council and UNICEF rally to end child food poverty in the Philippines

Recognizing this crisis, Congress passed Republic Act No. 11037, institutionalizing the National Feeding Program for day care, kindergarten, and elementary children. Over the years, the program has not only provided daily fortified meals but also pioneered the central kitchen model, a community-led approach that has proven effective in sustaining operations and fostering local ownership.? Feeding programs are never just about meals. Each serving placed before a child is a quiet but powerful declaration that no Filipino should be left behind because of hunger, and that every child deserves the dignity of growth, learning, and hope. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. -00 JV EJERCITO 2 Siy Van et al. (2022). A community-led central kitchen model for school feeding programs in the Philippines: Learnings for multisectoral action for health.

Sentate Offte of the freelary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 SEP 10 P6:28 First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ 5. 41375 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JV EJERCITO AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC DAY CARE CENTERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 4 (A) AND 4 (B) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 Child Feeding Program Act".

Sec. 2. Section 4 (a) of Republic Act No. 11037 is hereby amended to read as

4 follows: "Section 4. National Feeding Program. - The National Feeding Program, 6 hereinafter referred to as the Program, is hereby established to address 7 undernutrition among Filipino children. The Program shall have the following components and coverage: (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 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 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;" XXX

Sec. 3. Coverage - Subsection (b) of the same section is hereby amended to

6 read as follows: (b) Supplementa! Feeding Program for Day Care Children. - The DepED shall implement a school-based feeding program for [undernourished] public school children from kindergarten to grade six (6): 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 twenty (120) days in a year; XXX

Sec. 4. 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 annual budget of the Department of Education under the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with the DSWD, along with other agencies, shall promulgate their respective rules and regulations for the efficient and 22 effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is

declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such 25 declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

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

2 or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 3 hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

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

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