Education Secretary Sonny Angara is exploring ways for the Department of Education (DepEd) to prevent fresh produce from going to waste, especially during the rainy season when transporting goods becomes more difficult and costly.
With the expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) now reaching 4.6 million beneficiaries, including all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners, DepEd is looking at ways to channel suitable surplus vegetables to schools, subject to food safety and program requirements.
“Gusto nating makatulong sa ating mga magsasaka habang sinisiguro na may masustansya at mainit na pagkain sa ating mga paaralan para sa ating mga learners,” Secretary Angara said.
DepEd is encouraging companies, organizations, and individuals to support this effort through the Adopt-a-School Program by purchasing vegetables directly from farmers and donating them to schools for the feeding program.
Qualified private partners can avail themselves of the 150% tax deduction provided under the Adopt-a-School Act.
DepEd is likewise looking to partner with the Department of Agriculture (DA) on cold storage solutions. During the rainy season, vegetables frequently spoil due to transport delays or when farmers have limited access to proper storage facilities. The two agencies can explore the use of available cold-storage facilities to preserve suitable produce until it can be transported to schools.
DepEd is also institutionalizing Republic Act 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, within the School-Based Feeding Program.
This allows Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and schools to use negotiated procurement, and bypass lengthy public bidding processes, to buy fresh produce directly from local agricultural and fishery enterprises.
To ensure smooth implementation, DepEd in collaboration with DA and the Sagip Saka Secretariat, is conducting capacity-building workshops to train field personnel on utilizing Sagip Saka procurement guidelines to purchase directly from farmers.
“Our broader direction towards hot meals for our learners will empower our local farmers and fisherfolk through the Sagip Saka mechanism. Our goal is simple: help our farmers, reduce food waste, and turn good vegetables into nutritious, hot meals for our learners,” Angara said.
