EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2310
GILLS
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
EXPANDING THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM IN SECONDARY 
SCHOOLS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037 OR 
THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2018, President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11037 or the 
"Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act" which provided for a variety of 
national feeding programs for undernourished public school children in day care 
centers, as well as those in kindergarten and Grade 6. This is in response to the 
problem of child malnutrition and under nutrition in the country especially to those 
belonging to the student population as this has been proven to be detrimental in 
achieving a productive school experience. In fact, according to the United Nations 
Children's Fund (UNICEF), "Children who survive [death from malnutrition] can face 
a long list of devastating side effects that last a lifetime, preventing them from 
achieving success in school and pursuing meaningful work in adulthood."
This problem is further elaborated by a 2018 study published by the Philippine 
Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) which noted that among the common 
causes for students - specifically those in Grades 1-6 - to dropout of school is 
hunger. Simply put, children belonging to poor families with highly unstable sources 
of income often go to school hungry which immediately puts them at a disadvantage 
over their other well-to-do classmates.
For the past three (3) years since the law was enacted, concerned 
government agencies including the DSWD, DepEd, and DA have been working to 
ensure the proper implementation of the law. For instance, last February 2021,
1


DepEd reported that the department served around 3.5 million learners in over 
33,000 public schools for its School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) for the school 
year 2020-2021 - surpassing the department's benchmark target of 1.7 million 
learners.
However, it is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic and the 
numerous lockdowns exacerbated the financial vulnerabilities of many households. 
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the unemployment rate for 
2020 reached a record high of 10.3% - more than double the 5.1% rate in 2019. 
This translates to around 4.5 million jobless Filipinos amidst this crippling pandemic. 
As a result, it is expected that many Filipinos continue to face hunger and food 
security issues - including our student population.
In fact, in a July 2020 National Mobile Survey of the Social Weather Station, 
20.9% (5.2 million Filipino families) reported experiencing involuntary hunger due to 
the lack of food. Hence, through this measure, we will aim to address what is 
expected to be among the biggest problems of the student population by expanding 
the coverage of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) as mandated by RA 
11037 to include kindergarten and high school students to ensure that proper 
government interventions are in place for the youth in their formative and 
adolescent years.
In our overarching goal to ensure the country's survival, recovery, 
revitalization from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to send a strong 
message that the government is determined on making sure that investing in our 
human capital resources remains of tantamount importance.
In view of the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2310
1 9E
1HE
n. TFT.jL|ly5’2021 
ICO
E-FILEO
7)np. 02:35 pm
LLSwIt'
sillsnsJinoe;
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
EXPANDING THE NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM IN SECONDARY 
SCHOOLS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037 OR 
THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Section 4 (b) Republic Act No. 11037 otherwise known as the
2 
"Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act" is hereby amended to read as
3 
follows:
4 
"SECTION. 4 (b). School-Based Feeding Program. - The DepEd shall
5 
implement a school-based feeding program for undernourished public school
6 
[children] LEARNERS from kindergarten to grade [six-(6-)] TWELVE (12):
7 
Provided, That the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1)
8 
fortified meal to all undernourished public KINDERGARTEN, elementary,
9 
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND SENIOR HIGH school [children]
10 
LEARNERS for a period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a
11 
year;"
12 
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
13 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with
14 
the National Nutrition Council (NNC) the Food and Nutrition Research Institute
15 
(FNRI), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the
16 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and concerned LGUs, and such
17 
other relevant government agencies, nongovernment organizations, and


1 
development partners shall promulgate their respective rules and regulations for the
2 
efficient and effective implementation of this Act.
3 
SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
4 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue
5 
to be in full force and effect.
6 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, other issuances,
7 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
8 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
9 
SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
10 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
11 
circulation.
Approved,