Report DepEd Enhances Initiatives for Nutritious Meals and Agricultural Education

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The Department of Education (DepEd) is amplifying its efforts towards food security through key programs such as the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), Gulayan sa Paaralan, and Farm School projects. This move aligns with President Marcos' directive on enhancing food sustainability and community resilience, a message underscored during Filipino Food Month 2025.

 

Established under Presidential Proclamation No. 469, Filipino Food Month aims to celebrate the Philippines' culinary heritage, emphasizing its role in fostering national identity and community unity. This year's theme, “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao,” highlights the connection between Filipino cuisine and cultural identity.

 

DepEd's initiatives are seen as integral to this spirit, focusing on holistic education that nurtures both physical health and values. Education Secretary Sonny Angara stresses the importance of blending nutrition, agriculture, and values education into the curriculum to keep alive Filipino hospitality in every meal served.

 

With ongoing government support, DepEd aims to cultivate a generation of healthy, skilled, and socially responsible Filipinos. This vision is vividly illustrated by initiatives like the Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School (RTMFS) in Negros Occidental, where students partake in farming activities. Led by Principal Roger Raymundo, the school integrates agricultural produce directly into student meals, teaching both practical skills and sustainable food practices.

 

 

 

Raymundo highlights that farming is not just a skill but a potential livelihood, emphasizing the lifelong learning aspect of the farm school curriculum: “Here, children learn proper planting methods and understand that farming can sustain them.”

 

In Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Sta. Cristina Elementary School (SCES) exemplifies success with its SBFP, achieving a 93.80 percent rate of learners reaching nutritional adequacy. Principal Elena Bayan attributes this success to strong community involvement and effective use of school-grown produce.

 

These schools, through their dedication, embody the values celebrated during Filipino Food Month—feeding with compassion, teaching with purpose, and nurturing a generation of healthy learners. DepEd's commitment highlights the critical role of schools in promoting food security and agricultural education across the Philippines.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-04-24