NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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.''■ '(©ffitr o{ tljf *-rr-rt.'V,-
24 M!\R14 AlO ^7
S. B. No.
Introduced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING CENTRAL KITCHENS TO IMPROVE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THE SCHOOL-BASED FEEDING PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MASUSTANSYANG 
PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT", APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 11037, otherwise known as the "Masustansyang Pagkain Para 
sa Batang PiUpino Act', was enacted in 2017 to stem the rising tide of malnutrition 
among children.
The program has mostly been satisfactory. Around 2.30 million elementary 
students in public schools have been provided with hot meals every year since its 
enactment.1 99.21% of parent-respondents to a DepEd survey noted that their 
children became more enthusiastic and energetic, gained weight, and had a 
strengthened immune system because of the program.
But here is always room for expansion and improvement. A recent DepEd- 
backed study revealed that only 74% of public schools have a designated cooking 
place. Many public schools in the Visayas and Mindanao regions have only dirty 
kitchens, which are fueled with charcoal or firewood. Very few schools have dedicated
1 National Expenditure Program for FYs 2020 to 2023.


cooking staff. Many rely on teachers and parents to buy and cook food on a voluntary 
basis.2
These shortcomings prevent prevents the full realization of the goals of this 
Act. The current measure thus proposes to amend R.A. No. 11037 to establish a 
network of central kitchens. These kitchens will be established by the DepEd based 
on clusters of geographically approximate clusters of schools. Each kitchen will be 
staffed by a food service supervisor and two cooks.
Finally, this measure clarifies the roles of LGUs, the private sector, and non­
government organizations in the implementation of this law. This is done in recognition 
of the importance of multisectoral participation in the establishment and operation of 
central kitchens.3
Immediate passage of this measure is eagerly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
2 German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). 2020. Assessment of Cooking Systems and Practices in 
Pubiic Eiementary Schoois in the Phiiippines.
3 Van, V, Siguin, C., et.ai. "A Community-Led Kitchen Model for School Feeding Programs in the Philippines: 
Learnings for Multisectoral Action for Health" Giobai Heaith: Science and Practice (2022: Vol. 10, No. 6).


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
}
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
Second Regular Session 
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Lvcnaii'
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24 mar 14 A10:07
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING CENTRAL KITCHENS TO IMPROVE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THE SCHOOL-BASED FEEDING PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ’WASl/Sr/tlVSy/l/VG 
PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT" APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
1 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
2 
Congress assembled:
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " Central Kitchens Act".
4 
SEC. 2. - A new Section 6 (a) is hereby created under Republic Act No. 11037,
5 
which shall read as follows:
6 
"SECTION 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRAL KITCHENS. - TH E DEPED,
7 
IN COORDINATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, LGUS AND NGOS,
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SHALL ESTABLISH CENTRAL KITCHENS WHICH SHALL PREPARE AND
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DISTRIBUTE FORTIFIED MEALS TO BENEFICIARIES IN
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GEOGRAPHICALLY PROXIMATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: PROVIDED, THAT,
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WHEN NECESSARY AND FEASIBLE, THE CENTRAL KITCHENS MAY
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ALSO BE CALLED UPON TO PREPARE AND PROVIDE HOT MEALS FOR
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VICTIMS OF DISASTERS.
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(a) LOCATION. - THE CENTRAL KITCHENS SHALL BE ESTABLISHED
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BASED ON CLUSTERS OF GEOGRAPHICALLY PROXIMATE
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPED;
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(b) DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT STANDARDS FOR CENTRAL
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KITCHENS. - THE DEPED SHALL PROMULGATE STANDARDS


1 
FOR THE DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT OF THE CENTRAL
2 
KITCHENS, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
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1. THE PHYSICAL LAYOUT OF THE KITCHEN, WHICH SHALL
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HAVE SEPARATE AREAS FOR THE STORAGE AND
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REFRIGERATION OF RAW COMMODITIES, FOR THEIR
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CLEANING AND PREPARATION, FOR THE PREPARATION OF
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THE FORTIFIED MEALS, AND FOR DISPOSAL OF SCRAPS;
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2. THE STANDARD NUMBER OF POTS, PANS, OTHER UTENSILS
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AND EQUIPMENT WHICH WILL BE USED FOR PREPARATION
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AND COOKING OF THE FORTIFIED MEALS; AND
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3. THE STANDARD COOKING STOVES AND FUEL SOURCE
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WHICH SHALL BOTH BE SUFFICIENT TO ACCOMMODATE
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BULK COOKING;
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(c) PERSONNEL. - EACH CENTRAL KITCHEN SHALL BE STAFFED BY
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A FOOD SERVICE SUPERVISOR III AND AT LEAST TWO (2)
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COOK II, WHOSE SALARY GRADES AND ASSOCIATED BENEFITS
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SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE POSITION CLASSIFICATION
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SYSTEM AS PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET
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AND MANAGEMENT (DBM).
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SEC. 3.- Section 7 of Republic Act No. 11037 is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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Section 7. Local Government Assistance. - LGUs shall assist the NGAs in the
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efficient and effective implementation of the Program in accordance with
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Section 4 of this Act and shall [bo outhorizcd to] use [a portion-ef] the Special
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Education Fund (SEF) and/or their twenty percent (20%) development fund as
26 
provided for in Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local
27 
Government Code of 1991", as amended to augment the appropriations
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available under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
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The LGUs may assist the DepEd in any of the following modalities:
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(a) SETTING-UP OR REFURBISHING OF EXISTING CENTRAL
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KITCHENS;
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(b) SUPPLY OF RAW FOODSTUFFS, FUEL, AND COOKING UTENSILS;


1
(C)
2
(d)
3
4
(e)
5
6
(0
7
(g)
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9
10
SEC.
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follows:
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"Sed
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THE
14
THR
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(a)
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17
18
19
20
(b)
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(c)
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(d)
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24
(e)
25
26
27
(f)
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SEC.
29
under the
30
Bureau"). li
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shall:
HIRING OF STAFF TO FILL MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS; 
PROVIDING VEHICLES FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF MEALS TO 
SCHOOLS;
SUSTAINING THE OPERATION, CONDUCT OF HEIGHT AND 
WEIGHT ASSESSMENT BY BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLARS; 
NUTRITION EDUCATION OF PARENTS; OR 
PRIORITY PROCESSING OF HEALTH PERMITS FOR FOOD 
HANDLERS, SANITARY PERMITS OF THE KITCHEN, WATER 
TESTING AND FUNDING OF ADDITIONAL FEEDING DAYS;
SETTING-UP OR REFURBISHING OF EXISTING CENTRAL 
KITCHENS: PROVIDED, THAT THIS SHALL BE AN AVAILABLE 
MODALITY OF PARTICIPATION UNDER THE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
8525, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ADOPT-A-SCHOOL ACT OF 
1998')
SUPPLY OF RAW FOODSTUFFS, FUEL, AND COOKING UTENSILS 
HIRING OF STAFF TO FILL MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS; 
PROVIDING VEHICLES FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF MEALS 
SCHOOLS;
SUSTAINING THE OPERATION, CONDUCT OF HEIGHT AND 
WEIGHT ASSESSMENT BY BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLARS; 
and
NUTRITION EDUCATION OF PARENTS;


1 
(a) Pursuant to Section 4 of this Act, exercise supervision and control over the
2 
establishment and maintenance of the central kitchens and issue guidelines
3 
on their location, staffing, and design and equipment standards;
4 
(b) Assist the Secretary in identifying clusters of geographically proximate
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public schools which may be served by a single central kitchen;
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(c) Conduct information campaigns and establish linkages with the private
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sector and civil society organizations under Section 6 of this Act, and
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pursuant thereof, facilitate their participation through the formation of a
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task force;
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(d) Assist the DepEd Secretary in formulating a joint memorandum circular with
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the Department of Interior 
and Local Government (DILG) which will
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institutionalize the role of LGUs under Section 5 of this Act;
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(e) Coordinate with the appropriate units of the DOH for the delivery of
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supplementary health services, and the DA for the establishment of
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instructional gardens, and the supply and delivery of pasteurized or
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sterilized milk and milk-based products to school feeding program
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beneficiaries;
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(f) Such other powers and functions as may be necessary and proper for the
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full implementation of this Act;
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SEC. 7. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Subject to the approval of the DBM,
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the DepEd shall determine the organizational structure of and the central kitchens and
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create new divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and
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employees in accordance with the civil service law, rules, and regulations,
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New divisions may also be created, and new personnel may also be hired, under
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the Bureau of Learner Support Services to fulfill the goals of this Act, subject to the
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approval of the DBM and in accordance with civil service law, rules, and regulations.
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SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
28 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the Contingent Fund. Thereafter,
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such sums as may be necessary for the continuous implementation of this Act shali be
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included in the annual budget of the Department of Education under the General
31 
Appropriations Act.


1 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
2 
the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, the DA, DOH, DILG, the FNRI, and such other
3 
reievant government agencies, nongovernment organizations, and development
4 
partners shall promulgate their respective rules and regulations for the efficient and
5 
effective implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
7 
unconstitutional, the remainder of law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
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remain valid and subsisting.
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Section 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
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or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.
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Section 12. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette;
14 
Approved,