President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday rolled out the Department of Education’s Kaagapay Program at the Patul Elementary School, saying his administration’s priorities will be on children’s health through feeding programs, among other services for public schools.
Inspecting the Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) modality under the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) with Education Secretary Sonny Angara, President Marcos said he would further promote learners’ well-being through health initiatives.
The HGSF, which is anchored on Republic Act No. 11037 (the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act), provides hot meals that include at least 30 percent of the government’s standard Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI).
The ingredients used in the feeding program are sourced directly from farmers in the community.
Meanwhile, Marcos lauded the School Parent-Teacher Association (SPTA) in Santiago City for its efforts to strengthen school safety and promote learners’ health and well-being.
Santiago City has 41 public schools, with around 5,000 students in elementary and high school.
Jimmy Vic Elardo, SPTA federation president in Santiago City, said: ‘The feeding program is being done as we have many malnourished children. We have supporters and stakeholders ready to support our feeding programs in the schools.’