MORE than 1.5 million children enrolled in child development centers (CDCs) and super-vised neighborhood play (SNP) were served by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) in 2025.
According to DSWD assistant secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao, the SFP was one of the programs being implemented in coordination with local government units (LGUs) to improve the nutrition and health of children across the country.
“The Marcos administration has been staunch in its efforts to improve the nutritional status of children by strengthening the SFP. Last year, the SFP served a total of 1,587,295 children nationwide utilizing a budget of over P5 billion,” Dumlao said.
The SFP provides nutritious meals to children aged three to five years who are currently enrolled in CDCs, as well as kids aged two to four years registered in SNP using indigenous or locally produced food equivalent to one-third of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI).
The children receive at least one fortified meal for a period of not less than 120 days in a year.
Dumlao also said the SFP was part of DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the national government and Republic Act No. 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.
“Last year, the DSWD increased the cost per hot meals of the children from P15 to P25 for improved nutritional value. This is aligned with the thrust and priorities mentioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to further improve the programs that will support the growth and development of children, while ensuring food security,” Dumlao pointed out.
Aside from providing nutritious meals for children, the SFP also conducts nutrition and health education to promote the knowledge, attitude and practice of children, parents and caregivers in sustaining the children’s nutritional status.
The 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) allocated more than P9.5 billion to finance the nutritional needs of over 1.8 million day-care children nationwide through implementation of the SFP.
