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Zambo solon backs institutionalization of DepEd's National Schools Feeding Program

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 2 (PNA) -- First District Representative Celso Lobregat on Thursday declared strong support to institutionalize the National Schools Feeding Program (NSFP) of the Department of Education (DepED) in all government schools across the country.

Lobregat said he has co-authored House Bill No. 0034 as he is pushing for the sustainability of the feeding program since it is beneficial to the pupils in day care centers, public pre-school and elementary school levels.

H.B. No. 0034 is an “Act institutionalizing the National School Feeding Program for public kindergarten and elementary pupils and appropriating fund therefor.”

DepED implements the feeding program in a bid to address the high-prevalence of malnutrition since most of the children enrolled in public schools belong to poor families.

Undernourished and malnourished children are poor in academic performance since they cannot absorb their lessons while suffering from hunger pangs.

Lobregat said there is an urgent need to fine-tune the feeding program of DepED and enhance it by providing a free breakfast program not only to day care centers and pre-schools but also in all public elementary schools in the country.

He said H.B. No. 0034 is now being reviewed by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture in the House of Representatives. (PNA)