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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider It's non-negotiable: Brian Poe defends P1.8-B augmentation for school-based feeding program

It's non-negotiable: Brian Poe defends P1.8-B augmentation for school-based feeding program

Published Sep 23, 2025 09:00 pm

At A Glance

  • FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe took up the cudgels for Filipino school children by calling it unacceptable to slash the additional Department of Education's (DepEd) school-based feeding program funds sourced from the Department of Public Works and Highway's (DPWH) 2026 flood control projects allocation.
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe (Rep. Poe's office)
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe (Rep. Poe's office)


FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe took up the cudgels for Filipino school children by calling it unacceptable to slash the additional Department of Education’s (DepEd) school-based feeding program funds sourced from the Department of Public Works and Highway's (DPWH) 2026 flood control projects allocation.
Poe, a vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, made this stand during the discussions of the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) on Monday, Sept. 22.
It was moved during BARSc's marathon that P1.8 billion would be reallocated to the school-based feeding program from the DPWH's flood control funds worth P255.528 billion.
However, the amount was later tempered to P1.5 billion, something that the congressman from Pangasinan opposed.
Poe said that the reduction not only cuts meals and nourishment for children; it also cuts hope.
“I know the request is big but the difference between that (P1.8 billion) and 1.5 billion, based on my estimates at 220 days of feeding and P25 per meal, you are looking at 269,000 students that could have been a part of the program but won’t be if you’re slashing it in half,” he said.
Poe stressed that the baseline allocation must be maintained to ensure no child is left behind.
“No child should have to learn on an empty stomach. This is about protecting our students’ right to proper nutrition and giving them the best chance to succeed in school and in life,” he said, adding that the matter was non-negotiable.
In the end, the P1.8-billion augmentation was approved after the sub-panel found just enough funds for the purpose.
A staunch advocate for youth development and education, Poe has consistently pushed reforms that prioritize public welfare over cost-cutting.
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