TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 11^5
of ti>? «• rr'.-lv.'T
25 AUG-7 P6 -07
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL 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, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa 
Batang Piiipino Act, was enacted in 2018 to combat hunger and malnutrition among 
Filipino children, particularly those in public day care centers and public elementary 
schools. The law mandates the institutionalization of a national feeding program to 
ensure that children from the most vulnerable sectors receive adequate and nutritious 
food essential for their physical and cognitive development. Since its implementation, 
the program has shown encouraging results, with improvements in students' 
nutritional status and enthusiasm for learning.
However, malnutrition and stunting remain major challenges for the country. 
Nearly one in every three Filipino children under the age of five is chronically 
malnourished. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), 
in particular, has a staggering stunting prevalence of 45.2%, far exceeding the already 
concerning national rate of 28.8%.1
Further, despite the presence of supplemental and school-based feeding 
programs, access remains limited. Only 23% of school children benefit from them and 
many children in day care centers are not covered at all.2 This gap undermines the 
program's potential and leaves millions of Filipino children vulnerable to hunger and
1 
UNICEF (2022), as cited by EDCOM II. Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) - Nutrition and Feeding. 
Available at https://edcom2.gov.ph/media/2023/06/EDCOM2_Green-Paper_01-ECCD-Nutrition-and- 
Feeding_230615.pdf (Accessed on 01 July 2025).
2 
PIDS and EDCOM II. Behind the Slow Start: An Assessment of Early Childhood Care and Development in the 
Philippines. Discussion Paper Series No. 2024-04. Published in May 2024. Available at 
https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/document/pidsdps2404.pdf (Accessed on 01 July 2025).


malnutrition, which contribute to the impairment of cognitive development, weakening 
of the immune system, and reduction of the ability of children to learn and engage in 
school.
International data also highlights the connection between food insecurity and 
poor academic performance. In the 2022 Programme for International Student 
Assessment (PISA), which assesses the knowledge and skills of 15-year-old students 
in mathematics, reading, and science, more than a third of Filipino students reported 
not eating at least once a week due to financial constraints.3 Countries where food 
insecurity is prevalent ranked among the lowest in the assessment, with the Philippines 
placing 77th out of 81 participating nations.4
Recognizing these challenges, the Department of Education has expanded the 
School-Based Feeding Program beginning School Year 2024-2025 to provide free hot 
meals, milk, and nutritious food products for all 220 days of the school calendar. This 
shift was based on previous findings that children tended to regress into malnutrition 
when school meals were provided for only 120 days. The longer feeding cycle is 
designed to sustain gains in health and learning, even through school breaks. Early 
reports are promising as over 57% of participating students said they felt more 
enthusiastic about attending school due to the feeding program.5
To build on this momentum, this measure seeks to make the expanded feeding 
program permanent and inclusive. The proposed amendments under this bill would 
also extend coverage to all children in public day care centers and all public school 
learners from Kindergarten through Grade 12, ensuring that the modifications to the 
program become a long-term commitment rather than a short-term initiative.
These proposed amendments to the current law are intended as an investment 
in the country's future. Children cannot learn well if they are hungry, and no child 
should be forced to study on an empty stomach. By ensuring year-round access to 
nutritious meals for all public school and day care children, the Philippines can turn 
the tide against malnutrition, improve educational outcomes, and secure a brighter, 
healthier future for the next generation.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOELmLLANUEVA*^
OECD (2023), PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): The State of Learning and Equity in Education, PISA, OECD 
Publishing, Paris. Available at https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en (Accessed on 01 Juiy 2025).
CPBRD Facts in Figures. Philippines' Performance in the 2018 and 2022 PISA. Available at 
https://cpbrd.congress.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF2024-ll-Philippines-Perf-in-the-2018-and- 
2021-PISA.pdf (Accessed on 01 July 2025).
PIA. PBBM, DepEd strengthen school-based feeding to boost student's health. 18 February 2025. Available at 
https://pia.gov.ph/pbbm-deped-strengthen-school-based-feeding-to-boost-students-health/ (Accessed on 01 
July 2025).


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 AUG-7 P6-.07
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL 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
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Expanded National
2 
Feeding Program Act"
3 
SEC. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11037 is hereby amended, to read as
4 
follows:
5 
"Section 4. National Feeding Program. - x x x
6 
(a) Supplemental Feeding Program for Day Care Children. - The DSWD, in
7 
coordination with the LCDs concerned, shall implement a supplemental
8 
feeding program for [ufidernourished] children [with] FROM ages three
9 
(3) to five (5) years. The Program shall be administered in day care centers
10 
or in any other facility which can be used for such purpose: Provided, That
11 
the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1) fortified meal for
12 
a period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year: Provided,
13 
further. That in the preparation of fortified meals, the DSWD shall work in
14 
collaboration with recognized parents' organizations;
1


1 
(b) School-Based Feeding Program. - The DepED shall implement a school-
2 
based feeding program for [tindcrnourishcd] public school [children]
3 
LEARNERS from kindergarten to grade [six (6)] TWELVE (12): Provided,
4 
That the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1) fortified
5 
meal [to oil undernourished public elementary school childrcn-for a period
6 
of not less than one hundred (120) days- in-a--year] FOR THE ENTIRE
7 
ACADEMIC CALENDAR EACH YEAR;
8 
X X x"
9 
SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
10 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the Contingent Fund. Thereafter,
11 
such sums as may be necessary for the continuous implementation of this Act shall be
12 
included in the General Appropriations Act.
13 
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - Within sixty (60) days from
14 
the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD and the DepEd shall, in consultation with relevant
15 
government agencies and other stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and
16 
regulations (IRR) to implement the provisions of this Act.
17 
Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the
18 
specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to
19 
administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws.
20 
Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the
21 
government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with
22 
gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.
23 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
24 
unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall
25 
remain in force and effect.
26 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
27 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
28 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
29 
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
30 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,