The Department of Education (DepEd) has listed 188,167 learners from Western Visayas as beneficiaries of its school-based feeding program (SBFP), which officially kicked off nationwide on Wednesday.

The regional rollout in Western Visayas was held at the Banica Elementary School in Barangay Banica, Roxas City. It was attended by 50 learners, who were served tinolang manok (Filipino chicken soup), rice, banana and milk.

“The SBFP is our way of ensuring that all kindergarten and Grade 1 learners, and wasted and severely wasted Grades 2 to 6, will be given adequate nutrition while they are in school. This will not only improve their health status but also allow them to learn properly in school,” said DepEd Western Visayas Information Officer Hernani Escullar Jr. in a text message.

SBFP serves as DepEd’s flagship intervention aimed at improving the nutritional status, health, and academic performance of undernourished learners.

Under the program, beneficiaries will receive daily nutritious meals for a minimum of 120 days and a maximum of 220 days, and milk supplementation for 30 days.

The recipients were identified through the 2023 nutritional assessment.

The national kick-off anchors on the theme “Creating a Future Where No Child Goes Hungry.” It also coincides with the Nutrition Month celebration.

The launch concluded with a tree-planting activity under the Eco Champions Program, led by Regional Director Cristito Eco. (PNA)