MANILA, Philippines — Even if Manila is reeling from a P4.39 billion deficit, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has assured that the city government’s feeding program for the city’s public school students will not be affected.
On Tuesday, Moreno said his administration targets to launch the feeding program for Kinder and Grade 1 public school students early next year.
According to Moreno, he has already talked to members of the Manila City School Board to conduct a study on the implementation of the program.
“Gagawan na ng pondo para maisakatuparan na ‘yung isang commitment natin addressing malnutrition or nutrition program for our elementary students,” Moreno said in a press conference.
“I’m now asking them on gaano karami ang estudyante, which I think in a few days, we’ll have some data, and I ask them to study it already para mapatupad na natin if not this year, at least early next year,” he added.
The proposed feeding program for Manila’s public schools is similar to the “Nutribun” feeding program of the 1970s where the local government will provide nutritious ready-to-eat-meals, consisting of bread and milk, to students of public schools.
Moreno believes that the revival of the program will greatly help thousands of poverty-stricken families living in Manila. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)