All public Kindergarten learners across the country will now receive daily meals under the expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday.

“Kapag may sapat na nutrisyon ang mga bata, mas madali silang matuto. Hindi natin kailangan hintayin pang magutom o magkasakit sila bago kumilos,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said during the launch of the program at Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Antipolo City.

"With the strong support of the President [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] we are investing not only in education, but in lifelong health, productivity, and equity," Angara added.

Implemented over 120 school days, this year’s expanded SBFP now includes all Kindergarten learners—not just the undernourished—as part of the shift toward universal early nutrition. For the first time, DepEd is providing hot meals and fortified food products to around 3.4 million Kindergarten and Severely Wasted and Wasted Grade 1-6 learners.

Last school year’s results showed that the number of severely wasted Kindergarten children was reduced by more than half—from 113,451 to 47,281. Improvements were also recorded in energy levels, class participation, weight gain, and overall health. Teachers and principals nationwide noted that children in the program came to school more alert, engaged, and ready to learn.

In Region II (Cagayan Valley) and Region XI (Davao), cases of severely undernourished Kinder learners fell by about 80 percent after the feeding program.

To support the program’s expansion, more than 74 central kitchens are now operational for efficient food preparation and delivery to thousands of schools. Over 44,000 schools are also participating in the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program, growing vegetables to supplement meals and teach practical nutrition to learners.

DepEd emphasized that long-term success depends on multi-sector collaboration. Partners include local government units, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and civil society groups.

“Sama-samang gawain ito. Gobyerno ang nangunguna, pero kailangan ang suporta ng buong komunidad,” Angara said.

"Bawat magulang, school officials, local government units, at barangay health worker ay may papel para siguraduhing hindi lang basta nakakakain ang mga bata, kundi talagang nabubusog, inaalagaan, at nabibigyan ng lakas para umunlad,” he added.

Future plans include refining meals, improving health data tracking, and working with local farmers for home-grown school feeding models. DepEd is also exploring the inclusion of Grades 1 to 3, who remain vulnerable to learning delays tied to poor nutrition.