School Feeding Program

Senator Edgardo J. Angara personally oversees the school feeding program.

Malnutrition affects a significant number of Filipino children, making them susceptible to disease and infection. The 2003 National Nutrition survey showed that 2.9 million primary school-age children were underweight, while 3.41 million were growth-stunted. The prevalence of anemia among children has also escalated in the last ten years, along with vitamin A deficiency.

But the greater problem of malnutrition, especially among children, is that it ultimately leads to stunted mental and physical growth, poor comprehension and lower performance in school.

School children have a feast during the school feeding program.

In 2003, Senator Edgardo J. Angara launched a School Feeding Program (SFP) in public elementary schools around the country, especially in depressed communities. It is conducted on a 120-day cycle, where milk, eggs and noodles are distributed to schoolchildren from grade levels 1, 2 and 3. These children, aged 7-9, are at their most important mental and physical development stage.

To date, over 24,000 pupils from the NCR and provincial schools in Abra, Aurora , Benguet, Ilocos Norte and Iloilo have benefited from this SFP program. The program saw great improvements in attendance, learning capabilities, academic performance, weight, height, overall nutritional status, as well as the reduction of drop-out rates among beneficiaries. It is surprising how just a little investment, can make a big difference.