TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
Senate
25 AUG 19 A9-43
SENATE
S. NO. 1212
RtCEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING SCHOOL CANTEENS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PROVIDING 
HEALTHY, BALANCED, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to give priority to education to foster 
patriotism and nationalism, acceierate social progress, to promote total human 
liberation and development1, and to protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them.2 Furthermore, the State shall 
defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition.3
The Philippines is facing both an education and nutrition crisis among its youth. 
UNICEF has sounded alarms on a real and widespread learning crisis, as a vast 
majority of students are falling significantly behind in reading and mathematics. 
Meanwhile, the EDCOM II's Year Two Report has found that millions of Filipino children 
remain chronically malnourished, facing challenges of poor health, inadequate 
nutrition, and limited learning capacity.
Hungry children do not make good students.4 The impact of malnutrition on 
academic performance is well-established, with studies showing its adverse effects on 
physical health, attendance, enrollment, and critical-thinking skills.5
1 Const, art. II, sec. 17.
2 Const, art. II, sec. 15.
3 Const, art. XV, sec. 3(1).
4 Kenneth Hartigan-Go, Angel Faye Castillo and Melissa Louise Prieto, Hungry children do not make 
good students <https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/opinion-hungry-children-do-not-make-good- 
students/>.
5 Id.


Thus, this proposed measure seeks to deliver the country's nutrition program 
at the very frontlines of education. Specifically, the bill mandates the establishment of 
canteens in all public schools nationwide, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the 
National Feeding Program. Public and private organizations are also encouraged to 
participate in the pursuit of these objectives as donations to public schoois for the 
purpose of establishing canteens wili be exempt from donor's tax.
Through these measures, the policy to ensure that no child is left behind can 
be better realized.
In view of the foregoing, urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1212
(Ib feeii£iti!
of tl)f sprn'rtary
25 AUG 19 A9 ‘43
RtCEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING CANTEENS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PROVIDING HEALTHY, 
BALANCED, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Kantina para sa Mag-aarai
Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote the nutritional well-being and development of the children, recognizing the 
critical role of nutrition in education, by ensuring access to adequate and nutritious meals 
in public schools.
Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to establish sustainable canteens in public 
schools, which shall implement the National Feeding Program established under Republic 
Act No. 11037 or the "Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act". Further, this 
Act targets to support the development of children through adequate nutrition, and to 
improve their nutritional status and learning capabilities.
Sec. 4. Establishment of School Canteens in Public Schools. - To support the 
National Feeding Program under Republic Act No. 11037 and other related laws, the 
DepEd and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with other 
relevant agencies, shall establish free canteens with provisions for necessary basic 
facilities in every public school.


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Sec. 5. Donations and Grants - Donations, grants, or assistance from government
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units, parent-teacher organizations, and other civic organizations, both local and foreign,
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shall be encouraged and facilitated in accordance with relevant laws, rules, and
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regulations.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 101 (A)(2) and (B)(2) of the National
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Internal Revenue Code, all gifts or donations to public schools for the purpose of
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establishing school canteens and the necessary basic facilities related or appurtenant
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thereto shall be exempt from donor's tax in accordance with the rules and regulations to
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be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner
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of Internal Revenue.
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Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of the
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provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the current year of
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the DepEd, DPWH, and DOH. Thereafter, such sums, as may be necessary, for its
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continued implementation shall be included in the appropriation of the concerned
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departments and agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
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Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations- The DepEd, the DOH, the DSWD,
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the NNC and other relevant agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations
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within ninety (90) days upon the approval of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Separabiiity Cause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
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hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Repeaiing Cause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
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the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity Cause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,