Senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan plans to introduce legislation that would provide free, nutritious breakfast to students from preschool to Grade 12 if elected in May 2025.

During a meet-and-greet event in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, on March 26, Pangilinan discussed the importance of ensuring students have access to healthy meals to start their day.

“Libreng almusal mula daycare center hanggang Grade 12 dapat libre ang almusal para hindi nagugutom ang ating mga anak at masustansya ang kanilang mga pagkain,” Pangilinan said, adding that the proposed law would mandate that half of the food purchased for school breakfasts come from local farmers and fisherfolk to boost their income.

The former senator highlighted the country’s alarming malnutrition rates, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, which report that millions of children are stunted or wasted. He stressed the role of proper nutrition in academic success, saying, “Walang batang dapat mag-aral ng gutom. Sa libreng almusal, binibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon na magtagumpay.”

Pangilinan proposed funding for the initiative through existing government programs and partnerships with the private sector and NGOs.