Part of the agency’s nurtitional goals.
According to a statement by the Department of Education (DepEd), the targeted School-based Feeding Program (SBFP) will be expanded in 2026 after the Senate apprived additional budget concerning nutrition.
From PHP11.78 billion in 2025, it ballooned to PHP28.66 billion in 2026 to allow the additional coverage of SBFP for 4.49 million students for a duration of 200 years, up from the current 120 days annually.
Also covered by the funds is the 45-day feeding program for over 600,000 junior high school and more than 200,000 senior high school that are considered “wasted” and “severely wasted” learners, as well as the 30-day feeding program for over 7,000 pregnant adolescent learners.
“Kita namin sa mga bata at sa mga kwento ng ating mga guro na mas gising, mas masigla, mas handang makinig ang mga mag-aaral basta may laman ang kanilang tiyan. Iyan ang pinaka-pruweba na gumagana ang programa,” said Secretary Sonny Angara.
He added, “May datos at may kwento. Nakita ito ng Pangulo at nagkaisa ang Senado at Kamara,” dagdag niya. “Kapag nakikita mong bumababa ang bilang ng severely wasted, alam mong tama ang direksyon.”
For school year 2025-26, DepEd started the expanded SBFP by including all Kindergarten at Grade 1 learners—regardless of their nourishnent level—as part of strengthened push for universal early nutrition. Hot meals and fortified food products were also provided to about 3.4 million learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6 learners.
According to initial data, severely wasted students in Kindergarten went down from 113,451 to just 47,281 in one year.
Aside from the food itself, 74 central kitchens have also become operational and mahigit 44,000 schools are actively implementing Gulayan sa Paaralan initiative.
In 2026, DepEd has secured funding for 219 Central Kitchens and Mobile Kitchens, while jt will actively work with local government units to strengthen coordination.
“Pinapalakas natin ang pundasyon sa Kinder at Grade 1, pero hindi rin natin iniiwan ang pinaka-nanganganib sa mas matataas na baitang. Kung gusto nating manatili ang mga bata sa eskwela, kailangan nating siguraduhin na may laman ang tiyan at lakas ang katawan,” said Angara.