THE City Government of Makati strengthened its commitment to student welfare and learning by ensuring that children have access not only to quality education, but also to the nourishment they need to thrive.
Recognizing that a well-nourished child is better equipped to learn, participate, and reach their full potential, Makati Mayor Nancy Binay has pushed for the rollout of the City’s rice subsidy program for students, beginning with daycare learners.
‘When we invest in our children’s nutrition, we are also investing in their education, their health, and the future of our city. No child should have to learn on an empty stomach. We want our students to come to school ready to learn, grow, and dream bigger,’ said Binay.
Under City Ordinance 2025-A-024, Makati students from daycare to Grade 12, including learners under the Special Needs Education (Sned) program, will each receive five kilograms of rice every month for 10 months throughout the school year.
Currently, the Makati Schools Division has 34,631 enrollees from Pre-Kindergarten to Senior High School, underscoring the reach of the City’s efforts to support the nutritional needs of its learners.
Binay emphasized that the rice subsidy marks the first time the City has provided free rice assistance specifically for students, reinforcing the current administration’s focus on the health, nutrition, and overall well-being of young Makati learners.
The City’s support for learners goes beyond rice assistance. For the first time, Makati will also roll out cash incentives for students through vouchers, providing P3,500 to learners from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6 and P7,000 to students from Grades 7 to 12.
The City is likewise advancing its Healthy Baon initiative, which provides Kindergarten to Grade 12 learners, including Sned learners and students of University of Makati, with either a complete Healthy Baon Bento Meal or a Healthy Baon Pastry Set on alternating weeks.
The program seeks to ensure that students have regular access to fresh and nutritious food that supports healthy growth, promotes well-being, and enhances learning.
This focus on nutrition comes amid emerging concerns over the health of schoolchildren. Department of Education-Makati Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Evalou Concepcion Agustin reported that the division’s Nutritional Status Report for School Year 2025-2026 recorded a 4-percent increase in overweight students in Makati public high schools.
For the City, the response is clear: student nutrition must be treated as an essential part of education.
‘We are choosing fresh, balanced, and thoughtfully prepared meals because that is what our children truly need. This is not about creating excitement over a new menu. This is about building healthier habits that can last a lifetime,’ the Mayor said.
Makati’s student-centered programs reflect a broader commitment to creating an environment where children are supported inside and outside the classroom. By providing food assistance, financial support, school supplies, uniforms, and other essential needs, the City seeks to remove barriers that may prevent students from fully engaging in their education.
The City has likewise sustained the provision of free school uniform sets and school supply packages, including basic school materials, school and physical education uniforms, school bags and caps, leather and rubber shoes with socks, health and wellness kits, and rain-protective gear.
For Makati, these initiatives go beyond assistance; they are investments in the next generation.
‘By nourishing young minds today, the City is helping build healthier learners, stronger families, and a more prepared and empowered generation of Makati citizens,’ Binay said.