Senator Win Gatchalian is proposing to increase the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s number of supplemental feeding days from 120 to 200. 

During the Senate Committee on Finance’s hearing on the proposed budget of the DSWD, the senator recalled that the program’s beneficiaries tend to suffer from the summer slide, where learners lose their nutrition gains after returning from their summer vacations.

The Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act (Republic Act No. 11037) mandates the DSWD, in coordination with LGUs, to conduct a supplemental feeding program in day care centers for undernourished children aged three to five. 

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian raised, however, that around 45% of LGUs cannot receive funds for the feeding program because of liquidation issues. 

“I suggest that the department work with the DILG to streamline liquidation requirements and impose heavier penalties. We have no choice but to download the funds to the LGUs since they are the ones running the daycare centers,” Gatchalian said.