All kindergarten and Grade 1 learners nationwide will receive school meals under an expanded feeding program this school year, as the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) has been doubled to ₱25.6 billion for school year 2026-2027.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Joyce Andaya told DZRH News program “Special on Saturday” on June 6 that the budget for the program has grown from ₱11.8 billion from the previous school year, with the expanded funding allowing the department to implement what it is calling universal feeding for the two lowest grade levels.
“Ngayong 2026-2027 school year pinalawak pa natin upang masaklaw hindi lang ang Kinder, pati Grade 1. Ang tawag natin doon, universal feeding,” Andaya said.
She said the priority for upper grade levels will be Indigenous Peoples learners, students in Last Mile Schools, those enrolled in the Alternative Learning System, learners under the Special Education program, and pregnant learners and young mothers—subject to availability of funds.
Andaya said the feeding program is grounded in a basic principle that learning cannot happen on an empty stomach.
“May nutrisyon doon sa mga oras na sila ay nasa eskwelahan dahil alam naman natin na matututo ang bata ‘pag may laman ang tiyan,” Andaya said.
The expansion builds on an existing program that has long been part of DepEd’s strategy to address both nutrition and school attendance, with Andaya noting that feeding initiatives have historically served as an incentive for children to come to school regularly.
The universal feeding coverage for Kinder and Grade 1 complements a separate initiative by Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, whose “Yormilk” program is set to expand from 22,000 to over 60,000 beneficiaries for school year 2026-2027, covering kindergarten through Grade 1 students in Manila.
