Marcos launches expanded school feeding program for Filipino learners

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the national kickoff of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) and the Milk Feeding Activity in Bulacan, which aim to address undernutrition and improve learners’ academic performance.

For School Year 2026–2027, the SBFP will provide universal feeding to all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners.

The program will also be extended to learners in Grades 2 to 6 who are categorized as wasted or severely wasted, as well as other eligible beneficiaries under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) nutrition initiatives.

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“Before, we had to choose which children would receive meals—only those who were undernourished. But now, every child who comes to school will be fed, ensuring that all young learners are ready to attend school and learn,” Marcos said in Filipino at the Pulilan Central School.

The president also said food products for the SBFP will be sourced from local suppliers, which he said will help boost their businesses.

“As much as possible, everything the government provides—not only for the feeding program but also through the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and all other government agencies—is sourced by prioritizing the purchase of locally produced goods,” he said in Filipino.

“That is why the suppliers with booths here are assured of a market from now on, because we will source from them the food that we will provide to our young people,” he added.

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Marcos also said the government continues to implement measures to address hunger among Filipino learners, noting that proper nutrition significantly impacts education, health, and overall well-being.

“That is why we have already addressed that problem, so we can be certain that all students who come to school no longer have to worry about what they will eat or about burdening their families. The government will provide the support, and the government will provide the meals,” he said in Filipino.

“And this is very important because we all know that the most precious part of our lives is our children. That is why we prioritize taking care of them, ensuring that they eat well, receive nutritious food, and are protected from illnesses,” he added.

The SBFP is the government’s flagship school nutrition intervention implemented by the DepEd pursuant to Republic Act No. 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act. /mcm