Councilor Antoinette Principe announced that Davao City is set to launch the pilot implementation of a school-based feeding program within the upcoming academic year. Principe, who chairs the City Council committee on education, science, and technology, stated that the city is preparing to roll out "Project Advancing Learners through Accessible, Guaranteed and Adequate Nutrition," or Project Alaga.
Project Alaga Details
During the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday, May 12, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Principe said, "We are in the stage where perhaps in the succeeding sessions we will be presenting the memorandum of agreement between DepEd and the city, and we endeavor to implement the pilot of the school-based feeding program for this incoming school year."
The city initially considered a central kitchen model but shifted to a hybrid setup due to Davao City's vast land area. Under the plan, a central kitchen will be established at Sta. Ana Elementary School in Barangay 28-C, which will implement universal feeding. This kitchen will also serve nearby schools, including Agdao Elementary School, Barangay Kapitan Monteverde, Cong. Manuel M. Garcia Elementary School in Barangay Leon Garcia, Jose Rizal Elementary School-Manuel Roxas in Barangay 28-C, and Zonta Elementary School in Barangay 23-C.
Geographically Isolated Areas
For schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), Principe said the city will establish separate kitchens and implement selective feeding programs. Schools identified for their own kitchens include Baksarpa Elementary School, Malakeba Elementary School, Manawang Elementary School, Tagaibo Elementary School, Kabangbang Elementary School, Sumilop Elementary School, and Upian Elementary School.
Menu and Training
Principe noted that menu planning and development were completed in 2025, and kitchen personnel have already undergone training on food sanitation and hygiene standards. Unlike previous initiatives that distributed NutriBun and milk, students will receive hot lunch meals under this program.
Funding and Beneficiaries
The program has an initial allocation of PHP 20 million for infrastructure and kitchen personnel salaries. However, Principe said the bulk of funding will come from the Department of Education, which has allocated PHP 25 per child for 200 days under the school-based feeding program. The number of beneficiaries has yet to be finalized, pending enrollment figures for Academic Year 2026-2027.
Principe plans to present the proposed measure for second reading before the 21st City Council and hopes lawmakers will support it. She added that her committee has already submitted the proposed memorandum of agreement between DepEd and the city government to the City Legal Office for review.
Background
During a privilege speech on March 10, Principe raised concerns over malnutrition among schoolchildren in Davao City and pushed for stronger interventions to address hunger and improve learning outcomes. She sought legislative authority to establish the feeding program in partnership with DepEd, stressing that hunger directly affects a child's ability to learn.
