DUTERTE SIGNS NATIONAL FEEDING PROGRAM LAW

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into a law an act providing for a feeding program for undernourished children in the country.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain Act, on June 20, but the signing was made known to the media only on Tuesday.

The law will establish a feeding program for public school students in the kindergarten and elementary levels in an effort to combat malnutrition.

The food will be sourced from local farmers.

The feeding program will be implemented by the Education and the Social Welfare and Development departments.

According to a 2012 study of the Food and Agriculture Organization, around 16 million Filipinos are undernourished.

The signing was lauded by Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr.

“The signing of [ the law] is a clear proof of the President’s dedication to afford every Filipino child the right to proper Roque said in a statement.

“It is a testament that the Duterte administration recognizes the importance of good nutrition to our children’s ability to develop into physically and mentally healthy individuals,” he added.

The law will also safeguard children from undernourishment and enhance their learning capacities, he added.