Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a bill seeking to include undernourished high school students in the government’s school-based feeding programs. 

Estrada said there is a necessity to amend provisions of the law on school-based feeding program to include them saying they too, need proper nutrition to improve their over-all academic performance.

“Mahirap tumutok sa isang gawain, lalo na sa takdang aralin kung kumakalam ang tiyan (It’s hard to focus on one activity, especially on their assignments if their stomach is grumbling),”  Estrada said.

“Paano matututo ang bata, kahit araw-araw na pumapasok sa eskwelahan, kung palagi naman siyang gutom (How will these children learn, even if they go to school everyday, if they are always hungry),” he pointed out. 

In filing Senate Bill No. 2728, Estrada proposed amending Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11037, or the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act,” to expand the coverage of the national feeding program from kindergarten to secondary school children as beneficiaries.
 

Citing the latest Expanded National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Estrada observed adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old from rural areas and those from the poorest households exhibited a higher prevalence of stunting than their counterparts in urban areas and richer households.

“Adolescence is a crucial period for growth and development. Without a doubt, good nutrition is vital for students' concentration, cognitive functions, and overall performance. It is imperative to provide fortified meals with essential nutrients,” the lawmaker stressed.

"Unfortunately, this is not readily available to all students, particularly those from low-income households who may have limited access to adequate nutrition at home," he further said.