4.6 million students eyed in expanded DepEd feeding program in 2026

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Thursday, Jan. 8, that it will significantly expand the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) in 2026, aiming to reach approximately 4.6 million learners nationwide to address malnutrition and improve school attendance.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

HITONICS African catfish or 'hito' is gathered during the HitoNics harvest activity at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Inland Fisheries Technology Center (NIFTC) in Tanay, Rizal on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. HitoNics is a newly introduced aquaponics technology developed by the agency that combines catfish farming with crop production in a single, integrated system. (Santi San Juan)

(Santi San Juan)

In a statement, DepEd said the expansion is made possible by the record budget allocation of P1.015 trillion for basic education.

With strong support from President Marcos and Congress, DepEd said it secured P25.7 billion to broaden the feeding program’s coverage, prioritizing early-grade learners and nutritionally at-risk children in higher grade levels.

Under the expanded SBFP, DepEd said it will provide nutritious meals for 200 feeding days to around 1.52 million kindergarten learners and 1.79 million Grade 1 learners.