Senator Kiko Pangilinan has a proposal: allocate or transfer a portion of the flood control funds to a Libreng Almusal (free breakfast) program that will address the alarming cases of stunting, malnutrition, and dropout rates among school children and improve the income of agricultural workers.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Pangilinan co-chaired recently the public hearing for his proposed Libreng Almusal law together with the Committees on Basic Education, Local Government, and Finance.
“Magkano ba ang magiging kinakailangang dagdag budget na hindi lamang sa mga stunted, kung hindi sa lahat?” Pangilinan asked in his opening statement.
“Base na rin doon sa ililipat ‘yun ilang pondo ng flood control dahil ito ay malulustay lamang at hindi kailangan o kaya ay inaayos pa, ilagay natin sa ganitong klaseng programa,” the veteran legislator added.
Aside from addressing stunting and malnourishment, attendance rates, and learning capacity, the seasoned lawmaker also underscored how his proposed measure to provide free breakfast meals to kindergarten to senior high school students in public schools will complement his 2019 Sagip Saka Act–which allows national government agencies and local government units to buy produce directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.
Under the senator’s proposed measure, half of the budget for the Libreng Almusal program will be allocated to purchases from local farmers and fisherfolk, ensuring fresh and nutritious food for the learners.
“Kahit na 30% na lang o 20% ay bibilhin direkta sa ating magsasaka at mangingisda, malaking bagay.”
“Kahit na 30% na lang o 20% ay bibilhin direkta sa ating magsasaka at mangingisda, malaking bagay,” he stressed.
Pangilinan noted that the Department of Education (DepEd) spends around P11.7 billion on its feeding programs.
“Hindi lang sila dagdag kita, masustansya pa ang mabibili at maipapakain sa ating mga anak at sariwa ang kanilang magiging pagkain.”
“Hindi lang sila dagdag kita, masustansya pa ang mabibili at maipapakain sa ating mga anak at sariwa ang kanilang magiging pagkain,” he added.
Pangilinan’s push for the Libreng Almusal Act is rooted in his promise to provide free breakfast meals to public school students, aligning this program with his 2019 Sagip Saka Act to allow public schools to purchase food directly from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.
