Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay has called for the implementation of free healthy snacks and meals in schools to address nutritional deficiencies among students.

Binay emphasized that proper nutrition is vital for students to perform well academically, stating that malnutrition and hunger hinder their ability to absorb lessons, regardless of their teachers' skills or access to learning tools.

“Napaka-importante ng wastong nutrisyon para makapag-aral nang mabuti ang mga estudyante. Kahit anong galing magturo ng kanilang mga guro at kahit may sapat silang kagamitan sa pag-aaral, mahihirapan silang ma-absorb ang mga leksyon kung nagugutom sila at kulang sa nutrisyon,” Binay said.

("Proper nutrition is very important for students to study well. No matter how good their teachers are or how sufficient their learning materials are, they will have a hard time absorbing the lessons if they are hungry and lacking in nutrition.")

She stressed that efforts to address the decline in education quality should begin with basic needs, particularly nutrition.

"Sa basics lang muna tayo. Unahin natin ang kalusugan ng ating mga kabataan bago pa man tayo mamigay ng mga tablet o computer. Hindi rin magiging epektibo ang pagtatayo ng modernong school buildings kung hindi agad na matutugunan ang mga problema sa malnutrition tulad ng stunting at wasting sa ating mga mag-aaral,” Binay added.

("Let’s focus on the basics first. Let’s prioritize the health of our youth before distributing tablets or computers. Building modern school buildings will also be ineffective if we do not immediately address issues of malnutrition, such as stunting and wasting, among our students.")

To combat malnutrition, Binay is advocating for a nationwide feeding program, especially for children at risk of malnutrition in rural and urban areas. She noted that this issue requires a coordinated approach involving the government, local authorities, and the private sector.

Binay also cited Makati’s Project FEED (Food for Excellent Education and Development), launched in March 2023, which provides free nutritious snacks to public elementary school students in the city.

“We partnered with the Department of Science and Technology in creating nutritious snacks for our students from kinder to Grade 6. Project FEED aims to alleviate hunger and develop healthy eating habits among young students,” Binay explained.

Additionally, she highlighted the importance of educating mothers on proper nutrition, particularly during pregnancy, to ensure the health of both mother and child.

“Habang ipinagbubuntis pa lamang ang bata, kailangang maalagaan na siya sa pamamagitan ng healthy eating habits at pag-inom ng vitamin supplements tulad ng iron, calcium at folic acid,” she said.

("While the child is still in the womb, they should already be taken care of through healthy eating habits and taking vitamin supplements such as iron, calcium, and folic acid.")

Binay also mentioned the Baby Makatizen Project, launched in 2018, which encourages pregnant residents to undergo regular prenatal checkups at health centers and Ospital ng Makati. Mothers completing at least eight prenatal checkups are rewarded with newborn kits containing essential baby items.

Through these initiatives, Makati has kept its malnutrition rate among the lowest in the country, at 0.27 percent as of 2024.