Capitol's feeding program eyed for nationwide implementation

Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte disclosed that they are monitoring Cebu Provincial government’s Sugbo School Feeding program as it plans to replicate it to the other public schools nationwide.

Launched in November 2023, the Capitol, led by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, allocated P197 Million as the initial budget for the program, based on the report from Sugbo News– the Provincial government’s official news network.

The feeding program since then has been implemented on school days, Mondays through Fridays, and will last until the end of the school year.

This is manned by the dedicated members and officials of the Parent-Teacher Association in each school.

“Ginatan-aw ni namo nga model gyud para sa ubang mga local government units. We are closely watching how Governor Garcia is doing it,” said VP Sara during her quick visit to the Capitol last Friday.

The private sector, including Purefoods–a subsidiary of San Miguel Foods recently committed to donating canned goods for the said feeding program, after initially donating 10 kilograms of premium Magnolia chicken products.

VP Sara also thanked the private sector for the support it has extended to Cebu Province’s feeding program for public students.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa private sector nato sa ilang suporta sa probinsya sa Cebu niinang program nga matabang gyud sa atong estudyante,” added VP Sara, who hopes that the said program will really be able to help the learners’ performance in school.

Governor Garcia was elated with the VP’s feedback.

“I’m very happy to hear that, in fact one of the items we were talking about because she has heard of it, and she has seen the program is really helping our children in their capacity to comprehend. Comprehension sa mga gitudlo,” Gov. Garcia said.

Gov.Garcia emphasized that it is important for school children to be fed properly so they can focus on their lessons in the classrooms.

“Because they will no longer be listening with an empty stomach,” Garcia explained.

Garcia also acknowledged the efforts that the PTAs and the private sector has put in for this program.

“Ang nakanindot kay nagtinabangay ang tanan..tabang ang mga ginikanan, PTA. Karon ni tabang ang San Miguel ug ang Purefoods,” Garcia said.

However, while the private sector has extended its help, the Governor laments that the National Food Authority is not supporting the program to her dismay.

“Ang lisod na lang kay ang NFA maoy wala ni tabang. Di naman nuon mi tagaag bugas. Naglibog na man lang ko ani. Kanang ni-ay maayong programa unta para sa mga bata, unta duna tay full support unta,” Gov. Garcia said. -