SENATE President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said expanded school feeding programs in public schools and child development centers will be rolled out in School Year 2026–2027 as part of the government’s intensified campaign against malnutrition among Filipino learners.

Gatchalian said the enhanced feeding initiatives were made possible by increased allocations under the 2026 national budget, which prioritizes the health and nutrition of students to help improve learning outcomes.

Under the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), P25.7 billion has been earmarked for 2026.

The expanded program will cover all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners in public schools and benefit an estimated 4.6 million students from Grades 2 to 6 who have been identified as wasted, severely wasted, stunted, or severely stunted.

The SBFP will also extend the number of feeding days from 120 to 200, enabling beneficiaries to receive nutritional support for a longer period throughout the school year.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) has been allotted P9.2 billion under the 2026 national budget.

The funding is expected to benefit about 1.8 million children enrolled in Child Development Centers and Supervised Neighborhood Play programs.

Like the SBFP, the SFP will increase feeding days from 120 to 200, ensuring sustained nutritional assistance for young children during their formative years.

Gatchalian said the historic education budget places a strong emphasis on addressing hunger and malnutrition among students, noting that proper nutrition is essential to effective learning and long-term success.

“One of the most important priorities of the historic education budget is the fight against hunger and malnutrition among our learners. When children receive adequate food and proper nutrition, they are better prepared to learn and pursue their dreams,” Gatchalian said.

The senator has long advocated measures aimed at improving student welfare, emphasizing that investments in nutrition are critical to enhancing academic performance, boosting school attendance, and supporting overall child development.