MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Guillermo Eleazar, a senatorial contender, pledged on Friday to advocate for a free meal program in public schools.

The previous national police chief promised to provide additional funding for the two organizations (DEPED and DA) to purchase agricultural items from local farmers for use in the free meal program at public schools.

“Dalawa ang makikinabang dito. Una ang ating mga mahihirap na kababayan na may problema sa malnutrisyon ng kanilang mga anak at pangalawa ay ang mga lokal na magsasaka kung saan sa bibilhin ng pamahalaan sa kanila ang kanilang mga produkto para gamitin sa programang ito,” Eleazar said. 

 (Two will benefit from this. The first is our poor compatriots, who face malnutrition in their children, and the second is local farmers, from whom the government will purchase crops for use in this initiative.)

Eleazar said that he saw impoverished pupils skip lessons due to poverty, while others are forced to work to assist their parents to make ends meet, citing his experience as a police officer assigned to numerous provinces.

“We need to address this problem and I believe this free meal program is one of the ways to narrow the learning gap. Maraming magagaling na estudyante sa public schools pero naapektuhan ang kanilang galing dahil sa kahirapan sa buhay,” he added.

(There are many best performing students in public schools, but their performance is affected due to poverty.)

Other health-related initiatives, such as regular dental, eye, and medical check-ups in public schools, would be also included in the free meal program.

– WhatALife! / Francis

Source: (pna.gov.ph)

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