SENATOR Raffy Tulfo is pushing for a measure expanding the coverage of free school meals program, and mandating the procurement from small scale farmers in the implementation of the national feeding program.

Tulfo’s Senate Bill 1843 aims to amend Republic Act 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act.

The senator said the law establishes a National Feeding Program for Undernourished Children in public Day Care, kindergarten and elementary schools to combat hunger and undernutrition.
However, Tulfo said reports indicate majority of Filipino children still go to school on an empty stomach.

“The state shall encourage school children from Kindergarten to Grade 12, particularly those from low-income families, to have access to affordable and wholesome food,” Tulfo said.

He added improving the health condition of the children will not only improve their learning capacity but also improve their academic performance.

The lawmaker pushes for the implementation of affordable health and nutrition programs by ensuring that proper, age-appropriate, and affordable health and nutrition programs are accessible to school children throughout their chilhood years.

The measure also seeks to help the agricultural industry by mandating 30 percent or more of the supplies needed to implement the national feeding program shall be procured from small-scale farmers.