MANILA – Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan voted for the passage of a bill expanding the government’s nutrition and school-feeding programs to address child hunger, malnutrition and the learning crisis.

Pangilinan voted yes to Senate Bill No. 2272, or the Expanded National Nutrition Program Act, which was approved on third reading.

The measure seeks to establish a broader and better-funded feeding program covering children and other nutritionally vulnerable groups.

Calling the bill “extensive” and “humane,” Pangilinan said ensuring Filipino children have the opportunity to grow healthy, learn and become productive members of society is among the government’s “basic,” “urgent,” and “sacred” responsibilities.

“Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, alagaan natin ang kalusugan ng ating mga anak. Poprotektahan natin ang kanilang kinabukasan. At patunayan natin na ang Republika ng Pilipinas, marunong at handang magpalaki ng malulusog, mahuhusay, matitino, at mabubuting batang Pilipino,” he said.

“For these reasons, Mr. President, I vote yes on Senate Bill No. 2272,” he added.

The proposed program covers nutritionally at-risk pregnant adolescent learners, pregnant and lactating women, infants and toddlers, children aged 24 to 59 months, kindergarten to Grade 3 pupils, undernourished Grades 4 to Grade 6 students, and other vulnerable learners.

“Sakop lahat ito,” Pangilinan said.

Bill links feeding program to local farmers

The measure also incorporates Pangilinan’s 2019 Sagip Saka Act as a procurement mechanism.

Under the law, national government agencies and local government units may directly purchase agricultural products from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk cooperatives without public bidding. Under SB 2272, the arrangement would also cover schools and child development centers.

Pangilinan said the provision would allow the government to address child nutrition while creating markets for local food producers.

“This way, we raise healthier children. At the same time, we create strong rural livelihoods, more reliable local markets, and greater dignity for those who produce our food. Sariwa, bagong ani, bagong huli, bagong katay ng mga produktong pagkain para sa ating mga anak,” he said.

He also welcomed the provision requiring farmers and fisherfolk to receive payment within 15 working days for food supplied under the program.

Pangilinan has campaigned for greater support for farmers and fisherfolk and stronger food security for more than a decade. After returning to the Senate last year, he filed Senate Bill No. 219, or the Libreng Almusal Act, as part of his effort to address hunger and malnutrition as both nutrition and education concerns.

The measure was later consolidated into Senate Bill No. 2272.

Stunting rate rises

The legislation comes amid concerns over worsening child malnutrition.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), citing the 2025 Updating Survey Results of the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), raised concern over the stunting rate among children below five years old, particularly those aged 0 to 59 months.

The latest figures placed the stunting rate at 25.3%, or roughly one in every four children. This was a 1.7-percentage-point increase from 2023 and marked the first increase in the country’s stunting rate since 2015.

Earlier EDCOM 2 studies said “malnutrition in the earliest years of life severely impairs cognitive development, language acquisition, and readiness to learn.”

Pangilinan said the expanded nutrition program is intended to help ensure that Filipino children are given the health and support needed to learn and thrive.