The Department of Education’s expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) is a long-overdue but commendable step in tackling one of the most persistent crises in Philippine childhood health: malnutrition. By providing daily hot meals and fortified food to all public kindergarten pupils and undernourished Grades 1–6 students nationwide, this program does more than fill stomachs, it lays the groundwork for a healthier, more learning-ready generation.
One in three Filipino children under five suffers from the “triple burden” of malnutrition: stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and even obesity. For years, efforts to solve this issue have been scattered or limited in scope. Now, with 3.4 million learners targeted and 120 feeding days assured, this program finally scales up the solution to match the scale of the problem.
What sets this initiative apart is its integration. Through central kitchens, the use of school-grown produce via the “Gulayan sa Paaralan Program,” and the joint efforts of Local Government Units, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and civil society, the SBFP becomes more than a meal, it becomes a model of community-driven health intervention. It’s the first time in Philippine history and one that deserves both recognition and sustained support.
What we should be aware of and be vigilant about is the possibility of a turn or twist that this program may be executed. Will this be another cover-up of corruption in the making? Just September of last year, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized the previous administration of former Secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte where she mismanaged government resources and funds that was supposed to be for a feeding program, however, it went as a failure to deliver the P5.69 billion worth of food for the program that was delivered had moldy, insect-infested nutribuns, and unsanitary packaging.
Similar cases of ‘mismanagement’ caused by delays in payment to suppliers and not distributing food daily happened in various regions of the country in previous program implementation years even before the 2024 issue. Billions wasted on rotten food and millions of children betrayed.
Now, another feeding program has been launched to cater a much wider reach backed with P11.77 billion allocation for this year. If we let corruption steal opportunities again for the youth to be nutritious, it won’t just be stomachs that will be empty — but also the future of our country’s health, education, and democracy.
Corruption thrives in secrecy and weak systems. To avoid anomalies to the feeding program such as ghost suppliers and rigged bidding, there should be a barangay based committee composed of local educators, parents, local youth or civic groups that spearheads on monitoring the food deliveries, proper preparation, distribution and report management issues identified through a digital app or report physically to the local government. Let beneficiaries rate or give feedback on food quality through forms to ensure whether all the meals are nutritional. And lastly, state audits should monitor if there are any misuse, inefficiencies, and irregularities within the delivery of the foods. By combining awareness, community, technology, and open data this will reduce corruption in feeding programs.
Other critical barriers in blocking the goals of the feeding program in the Philippines include insufficient funding and budget gaps where the allocation is often not enough to cover all undernourished students, especially remote areas in the country. Which may also result in scarcity of resources and facilities. Moreover, the lack of coordination with nutritionists or health professionals further worsens the issue. Bottomline, these systematic issues are largely rooted to corruption once again; like a threat that ties failures together.
Our country continues to be at rock bottom for years in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and nutrition of students help maximize abilities and skills in science, mathematics, comprehension, and real-life skills. Because poor nutrition can lead to developmental delays and hinder cognitive function. The PISA results is a call to action to not only the education system itself, but also to nutrition of students in relation to their well-being.
Nutrition awareness and education to parents, caregivers, and guidance on proper breastfeeding, complementary feeding, balanced diet for their child is significant in the early childhood and would further supplement the feeding program not just focused on providing meals but also awareness to parents.
The expanded SBFP is promising in fighting malnutrition in our country but may fall short of its goals if corruption, inefficiency, and weak monitoring systems persist. To ensure the program’s long-term impact, the Philippines must invest not only in food but also integrity systems. Only then can the SBFP truly deliver its promise to feed minds, bodies, and futures.
One in three Filipino children under five suffers from the “triple burden” of malnutrition: stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and even obesity. For years, efforts to solve this issue have been scattered or limited in scope. Now, with 3.4 million learners targeted and 120 feeding days assured, this program finally scales up the solution to match the scale of the problem.
What sets this initiative apart is its integration. Through central kitchens, the use of school-grown produce via the “Gulayan sa Paaralan Program,” and the joint efforts of Local Government Units, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and civil society, the SBFP becomes more than a meal, it becomes a model of community-driven health intervention. It’s the first time in Philippine history and one that deserves both recognition and sustained support.
What we should be aware of and be vigilant about is the possibility of a turn or twist that this program may be executed. Will this be another cover-up of corruption in the making? Just September of last year, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized the previous administration of former Secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte where she mismanaged government resources and funds that was supposed to be for a feeding program, however, it went as a failure to deliver the P5.69 billion worth of food for the program that was delivered had moldy, insect-infested nutribuns, and unsanitary packaging.
Similar cases of ‘mismanagement’ caused by delays in payment to suppliers and not distributing food daily happened in various regions of the country in previous program implementation years even before the 2024 issue. Billions wasted on rotten food and millions of children betrayed.
Now, another feeding program has been launched to cater a much wider reach backed with P11.77 billion allocation for this year. If we let corruption steal opportunities again for the youth to be nutritious, it won’t just be stomachs that will be empty — but also the future of our country’s health, education, and democracy.
Corruption thrives in secrecy and weak systems. To avoid anomalies to the feeding program such as ghost suppliers and rigged bidding, there should be a barangay based committee composed of local educators, parents, local youth or civic groups that spearheads on monitoring the food deliveries, proper preparation, distribution and report management issues identified through a digital app or report physically to the local government. Let beneficiaries rate or give feedback on food quality through forms to ensure whether all the meals are nutritional. And lastly, state audits should monitor if there are any misuse, inefficiencies, and irregularities within the delivery of the foods. By combining awareness, community, technology, and open data this will reduce corruption in feeding programs.
Other critical barriers in blocking the goals of the feeding program in the Philippines include insufficient funding and budget gaps where the allocation is often not enough to cover all undernourished students, especially remote areas in the country. Which may also result in scarcity of resources and facilities. Moreover, the lack of coordination with nutritionists or health professionals further worsens the issue. Bottomline, these systematic issues are largely rooted to corruption once again; like a threat that ties failures together.
Our country continues to be at rock bottom for years in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and nutrition of students help maximize abilities and skills in science, mathematics, comprehension, and real-life skills. Because poor nutrition can lead to developmental delays and hinder cognitive function. The PISA results is a call to action to not only the education system itself, but also to nutrition of students in relation to their well-being.
Nutrition awareness and education to parents, caregivers, and guidance on proper breastfeeding, complementary feeding, balanced diet for their child is significant in the early childhood and would further supplement the feeding program not just focused on providing meals but also awareness to parents.
The expanded SBFP is promising in fighting malnutrition in our country but may fall short of its goals if corruption, inefficiency, and weak monitoring systems persist. To ensure the program’s long-term impact, the Philippines must invest not only in food but also integrity systems. Only then can the SBFP truly deliver its promise to feed minds, bodies, and futures.
D
Written by Drew Ezekiel Diamsay, Insight PH
Drew Ezekiel Diamsay, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
