Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila DATE 2S JUL 2

TIME

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,_2425

Introduced by HON. JANETTE L. GARIN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a free breakfast program for all public school
students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, to be known as the “Libreng Almusal Para Sa
Batang Pilipino Program,” and appropriate funds therefor.

Section 13, Article I] of the 1987 Constitution states in part that:

“Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. xxx.”

In 2009, the “Healthy Start Feeding Program” of the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) was launched to provide supplemental food to day
care children aged three to five years old in the form of hot meals, which were served
during breakfast or afternoon session break.

In 2018, the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), which now includes the
previous Healthy Start Feeding Program of the DSWD was institutionalized through
Republic Act (RA) No. 11037 otherwise known as the “Masustansyang Pagkain para
sa Batang Pilipino Act.” The SFP provides fortified meals and fresh milk or fresh milk-
based products to children beneficiaries. In 2024, the DSWD reported that the SFP
was able to feed 2,002,473 children beneficiaries and in the five years of its
implementation from calendar year 2020 to 2024,74.07% of these children exhibited
improvements in their nutritional status.

In 2023 and 2024, the number of student-beneficiaries under the School-Based
Feeding Program of the Department of Education were 2,071,561 and 2,009,279,
respectively. These beneficiaries were students whose nutritional status was
classified as severely wasted or wasted compared to their peers.

The State has been consistent with its efforts to improve the access of Filipino
children to quality education, but hunger and malnutrition remain as persistent
barriers to effective learning among them. Studies have consistently shown that
nutrition has direct impact on the academic performance of students. In a study
published by Maria Rachelle 0. Zubianga in 2024, she said that “education is dictated
by nutrition” and adequate nutrition is necessary for children to become fit and
responsible adults capable of fulfilling responsibilities in school.

This proposed measure, “Libreng Almusal para sa Batang Pilipino Program,”
will complement the existing feeding program under RA 11037 that only supports
undernourished children in daycare, kindergarten and elementary schools. Without


any condition or criteria, the “Libreng Almusal para sa Batang Pilipino Program” will
provide nutritious breakfast to all public school children, including students in the
junior and senior high schools.

This proposal seeks to combat hunger and malnutrition among students in all
public schools by ensuring access to nutritious, locally sourced meals. It aims to
improve academic performance, instill healthy eating habits, and promote nutrition
awareness from a young age. At the same time, it supports inclusive economic growth
by engaging local farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers through community-based
sourcing—creating a sustainable link between nutrition, education, and livelihood.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

JANETTE L. GARIN


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2429

Introduced by HON. JANETTE L. GARIN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FREE BREAKFAST PROGRAM FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 12, TO BE KNOWN AS THE
“LIBRENG ALMUSAL PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO PROGRAM,” AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Libreng Almusal para
sa Batang Pilipino Program.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to promote the

health, nutrition, and educational performance of Filipino children by ensuring that
all students in public schools have access to nutritious meals at the start of the school
day for their nutritional well-being and cognitive development.

The State recognizes that hunger and poor nutrition contribute to poor
academic performance, decreased cognitive function, reduced attention span, and
lowered participation in class that hinder literacy development and educational
outcomes.

The State affirms its commitment to address the challenges of hunger and poor
nutrition through a whole-of-nation approach by supporting not only Filipino children

but also the local economy. To this end, the program shall prioritize the sourcing of

food requirements from Filipino farmers and fisherfolk in the locality to promote rural


development, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods in the agriculture and fisheries
sectors,

Section 3. Libreng Almusal Para Sa Batang Pilipino Program. The ‘Libreng
Almusal para sa Batang Pilipino Program,” hereinafter referred to as the “Program,”is
established to provide a nutritious breakfast to all public school children from
Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Section 4. Program Implementation. The Department of Education (DepEd)
shall, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), National
Nutrition Council (NNC), and local government units (LGUs), implement the Program
and ensure that:

{a) Nutritious breakfast meals are provided to all students before the start of

the school day;

(b) Standardized menus must be prepared according to the caloric,

micronutrient, and food safety standards as prescribed by the Food and
Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and the NNC; and

(c) Food supplies shall be primarily sourced from local agricultural and

fisheries sectors to support Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.

Section S. Community Participation. The LGUs shall assist in the efficient and
effective implementation of the Program. The DepEd shall encourage the active
participation from the private sector, including the parents, private corporations, non-
government organizations, and other groups, both foreign and local. Likewise, the
DepEd shall, through the DA, coordinate with the accredited farmers and fisherfolk
cooperatives and civil society organizations for their active involvement in the
implementation of the Program.

Section 6. Appropriations. The funds necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act

(GAA) under the respective budgets of the implementing agencies. Further, the


implementing agencies are authorized to seek and receive donations, and other forms
of assistance from local and international sources: Provided, That donations made to
the government agencies, including LGUs, for the implementation of the Program are
exempt from donor's tax.

Section 7. Monitoring and Evaluation. The DepE<, in coordination with the
NNC and other implementing agencies, shall submit an annual report to the Office of
the President and both Houses of Congress on the implementation and budget
utilization of the Program.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education, Department of Social
Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, National
Nutrition Council, and the local government units shall, in consultation with other
relevant government agencies, jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations

for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in full
force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,