Poe to push for P8.73-B budget for national feeding program

Senator Grace Poe. PHOTO FROM SEN. GRACE POE’S OFFICE

Sen. Grace Poe on Friday vowed to push for the final approval of the P8.73-billion fund for the national feeding program in next year’s budget.

Saying the “nutri-meals” program would be a “safety net” for malnourished students, Poe said this would cover all “severely wasted,” or those with chronic malnutrition, and “wasted” pupils to improve their nutritional status at the end of 120 feeding days and increase their classroom attendance and performance.

The outlay will be sourced from the budget allocated for the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It will get a P5.3-billion share from DepEd’s budget and P3.43 billion from DSWD.

“Ten billion pesos is a small price given the massive positive effect that can be achieved through this program,” Poe said.

A staunch advocate of free nutri-meals for students, Poe cosponsored the Senate bill creating a national school feeding program.