THE DEPARTMENT of Education is set to roll out its most ambitious School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) yet, backed by a historic P25.6 billion budget for School Year 2026–2027.

According to DepEd, the unprecedented allocation—more than double the P11.8 billion budget in 2025—aims to support a record 4.63 million learners beginning this June.

The upcoming program will provide meals for 200 feeding days, a major expansion from the 120-day cycle implemented last year, when 3.39 million students benefited.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the initiative goes beyond addressing hunger, highlighting its role in restoring both dignity and academic potential among Filipino learners.

“We are fulfilling President Bongbong Marcos’ directive to break the cycle of malnutrition in our schools by equipping learners with the health they need to achieve their goals,” Angara said.

Starting School Year 2026–2027, the SBFP will adopt a broader, more inclusive approach—covering universal feeding for Kindergarten to Grade 1 learners, undernourished students in Grades 2 to 6, pregnant adolescent learners, and other vulnerable and marginalized students beyond Grade 6.