PRESIDENT MARCOS LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM

“HUWAG na natin piliin kung sino ang dapat bigyan… lahat ay pakakainin na natin.”

Thus said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday during the launch of the 2026 National Kick-Off of the School-Based Feeding Program and Milk Feeding Activity in Pulilan, Bulacan, noting that the government has expanded its feeding program nationwide to ensure that no learner goes hungry in school.

Speaking during the launch held at Pulilan Central School in Bulacan, with about 775 learners as beneficiaries of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), President Marcos said the government decided to expand the feeding program to benefit all learners rather than limit assistance to selected beneficiaries.

“Alam n’yo po, meron tayong feeding program noon pero kulang-kulang dahil namimili pa tayo kung sino ang kulang ang pagkain, hindi nakakain ng mabuti, kaya’t hindi makapag-aral ng mabuti. Natuklasan naman namin na karamihan naman ay dapat talaga pakainin na lang natin. Huwag na natin piliin kung sino ang mga dapat bigyan at sino ang hindi kasama sa feeding program,” the President said.

The Chief Executive described the nationwide implementation as a historic milestone in the country’s education and nutrition programs.

“Ito ay sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, hindi pa natin nagagawa ito, kaya ako ay natutuwa na mabuksan ngayon ang ating nationwide feeding program,” the President said.

Although the national launch was held in Pulilan, Bulacan, President Marcos emphasized that the program is being implemented simultaneously nationwide.

“Hindi lang po nangyayari ito dito lamang sa Pulilan kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” President Marcos said.

The President underscored the importance of ensuring that learners no longer have to worry about food while attending school, saying hunger remains one of the factors affecting children’s ability to learn.

“Alam naman natin na kung minsan, ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit hindi makapag-aral nang mabuti ang mga kabataan ay kulang sa pagkain. Kaya tinanggal na natin ang problemang iyan para tiyak tayo na lahat ng mga pumapasok na nag-aaral ay hindi na kailangang alalahanin ang kanilang kakainin. Ang pamahalaan na ang tutulong at ang pamahalaan na ang magpapakain,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos also cited the government’s efforts to address child malnutrition, particularly stunting, through improved nutrition and coordinated support from government agencies.

“Marami po sa ating mga kabataan ay parang masyadong maliit dahil kulang sa pagkain, stunted kung tawagin. At madalas magkasakit,” the President said.

The President stressed that looking after children’s health today is an investment in the country’s future.

President added that the Department of Agriculture is part of the program to helping ensure a steady supply of nutritious food while creating opportunities for local producers.

“Yung mga local na supplier, iyon po ang inuuna namin. Hindi kami bumibili sa malalaking grocery. Hangga’t maaari, lahat ng ibinibigay ng pamahalaan, hindi lamang dito sa feeding program pati sa DSWD at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno, inuuna pong bilhin ang mga local na produkto,” the President said.

According to President Marcos, the initiative also guarantees a stable market for local suppliers.

“Mula ngayon, garantisado na ang kanilang merkado dahil dito namin dadalhin para ipakain natin sa ating mga kabataan,” the President said.

The President stressed that investing in children’s health is an investment in the country’s future.

“Ang pinakamahalaga sa ating mga buhay ay ang ating mga anak. Kaya iyan ang inuuna natin na alagaan—na sila ay makakain nang maganda, maging masustansya ang kanilang kinakain, ligtas sa sakit, at makapag-aral nang mabuti,” the Chief Executive said.

The President added that the feeding program complements the administration’s broader education reforms designed to prepare Filipino learners for the future.

“Marami tayong ginagawa para binabago natin ang pag-aaral para masasabi natin na hinanda na natin ang ating mga kabataan para sa kanilang kinabukasan at sa kinabukasan ng Pilipinas,” President Marcos said.

The President concluded by thanking government agencies, local government units, suppliers, and other partners for supporting the program and urged them to continue expanding its reach.

“Congratulations sa lahat ng kasama dito sa ating programa. Pagpatuloy po natin, palawakin pa natin hangga’t kaya,” President Marcos noted.-

The SBFP is set to implement universal feeding for all Grade 1 learners nationwide, while continuing to provide hot meals, nutritious food products, and milk to all Kindergarten learners and Grades 1-6 learners identified as Severely Wasted and Wasted.

Joining the President in Bulacan were Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr..