SENATORIAL candidate Guillermo Eleazar pledged to push for a free meal program in public schools if he wins.

Eleazar said that the program requires coordination between the Department of Education and Department of Agriculture. He added that the program should be rolled out in the poorest provinces first.

“Dalawa ang makikinabang dito. Una ang ating mga mahihirap na kababayan na may problema sa malnutrisyon ng kanilang mga anak at pangalawa ay ang mga lokal na magsasaka kung saan bibilhin ng pamahalaan sa kanila ang kanilang mga produkto para gamitin sa programang ito,” he said.

Eleazar said poverty is the reason for the poor performance of students, particularly in far-flung areas.

The former police chief pointed out that this also explains the huge learning gap between students in provinces and Metro Manila as well as other urban areas.

“We need to address this problem and I believe this free meal program is one of the ways to narrow the learning gap. Maraming magagaling na estudyante sa public schools pero naapektuhan ang kanilang galing dahil sa kahirapan sa buhay,” he said.

Eleazar also vowed to push for other health-related programs such as regular dental, eye and medical check-ups in public schools.

“We need to invest a lot in the children, the youth because they are our future. The government owes to them the best that it could give in ensuring their good health and proper education,” he said.