THE DEPARTMENT of Education  will expand the School-Based Feeding Program in 2026, targeting around 4.6 million learners.According to DepEd, the move is part of the government’s push to address malnutrition and improve school participation.

The department has secured P25.7 billion for the expanded SBFP, allowing wider coverage across early grades and nutritionally at-risk learners in higher levels.

Under the expanded program, DepEd will provide nutritious meals to about 1.52 million kindergarten learners and 1.79 million Grade 1 learners for 200 feeding days.

An additional 1.18 million learners in Grades 2 to 6 who are classified as wasted or severely wasted will also receive meals for the same duration.

“Malinaw po sa datos na hindi makakapag-aral nang maayos ang bata kung gutom siya.

Kaya pinalalawak natin ang School-Based Feeding Program para mas maraming mag-aaral ang mabigyan ng sapat na nutrisyon, lalo na sa mga unang baitang at sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

“Higit sa pagbibigay ng pagkain, layunin ng programa na matulungan ang mga bata na manatili sa paaralan at maging handa sa pagkatuto araw-araw,” he added.

A total of P1.015 trillion has been allocated to DepEd for 2026.