“Kinakailangang suporta para sa mga mag-aaral, magsasaka at mangingisda, isabatas!”
House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist made this statement as she filed a measure to establish a comprehensive free breakfast program for all public school children from daycare to Grade 12, and to sustainably support local farmers and fisherfolk.
De Lima’s House Bill (HB) No. 8881 or the “Free Breakfast Program and Sustainable Agriculture Act”, which fully adopts Senate Bill No. 219 filed by Senator Francis Pangilinan this 20th Congress, seeks to provide public school children with nutritious and fortified breakfast meals that adhere to national dietary and nutritional guidelines set by the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
The bill also mandates direct procurement from local farmers and fisherfolk of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the produce required for the school feeding program, ensuring fresh, quality products for the public school children and the implementation of the spirit of the Republic Act No. 11321 or the “Sagip Saka Act.”
“Data show an alarming decline in student proficiency in the country. If left unaddressed, this may lead to a diminished quality of a new generation of Filipino learners and workers, potentially posing problems to our human resource assets and economic future,” the Bicolana lawmaker said.
“Clearly, there is a need for urgent government intervention to address this pressing issue, one of which is the implementation of a more comprehensive school feeding program to sustainably support the needs of Filipino school children on health, nutrition, and education,” she added.
A recent study by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found that by the end of school year (SY) 2024-2025, only 30.5% of Grade 3 learners were proficient in key subjects, dropping to a staggering 0.40% by Grade 12.
The same EDCOM 2 study shows that in the same year, 48.76% of learners were not reading at grade level by Grade 3, with the deficit compounding over time.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also previously warned of a widespread learning crisis in the country, stating that a majority of Filipino students are falling behind in reading and mathematics.
Moreover, De Lima cited the data from World Food Program (WFP) noting that at least 1.7 million public school children in the Philippines remain malnourished, contributing to poor academic performance nationwide.
To address this, De Lima’s HB 8881 aims to prioritize the health and nutritional well-being of all public school children, recognizing that proper nutrition is crucial for their cognitive development, academic performance, and overall growth.
A nutritionist will be an integral part of the free breakfast program, tasked with educating students, parents, and communities on healthy eating habits, proper nutrition, the benefits of fortified meals, and sustainable food consumption.
“Sa hinaharap nating krisis ngayon, mas bumigat pa ang hamon sa pagpapaaral sa ating mga anak at sa pagsiguro sa kita ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang batas na ito, matutugunan ng Estado hindi lang ang pangangailangan sa kalusugan, nutrisyon at edukasyon ng kabataan, kundi pati na ang dagdag na suporta para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” De Lima stated.
“Along with Senator Kiko, we call on our colleagues in Congress for the swift passage of this measure. There is no doubt: this is the kind of program where our funds and resources should also be directed, as it addresses not only current challenges but also potential future risks by empowering Filipino students and the agriculture sector,” she added.