DepEd pushes for feeding, GASTPE amendments in LEDAC meeting

The Department of Education (DepEd) urged Congress to fast-track amendments in the school feeding program and Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) law during a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the inclusion of DepEd’s legislative proposals in the LEDAC highlights the urgency of passing reforms that address access, equity, and accountability in education programs.

“Dapat tiyakin natin ang ating mag-aaral ay may sapat na nutrisyon, kalidad na guro, ligtas na paaralan, at pantay na oportunidad—mapa-publiko o pribado man sila nag-aaral,” Angara said.

(We must ensure that our students have proper nutrition, quality teachers, safe schools, and equal opportunities—whether they study in public or private schools. These proposed measures are concrete steps to ensure that no learner is left behind.)

Among the priority education bills that DepEd endorsed to Congress are:

1. Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act (RA 11037):

• Expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program to 160 feeding days
• Universal feeding for Kindergarten to Grade 3 learners
• Inclusion of marginalized groups such as indigenous learners and adolescent mothers
• Allowance for milk-based substitutes under the Milk Feeding Program
• Weekly micronutrient supplementation for female learners
• Establishment of Central Kitchens in every School Division Office

2. Amendments to the E-GASTPE Act (RA 8545):

• Institutionalization of anti-fraud mechanisms, including centralized verification, audits, whistleblower protection, and data-sharing
• Expansion of voucher coverage to learners from Kindergarten through Senior High School and to teachers

3. Amendments to the Teacher Professionalization Act (RA 7836):

• Broader scope of licensure examinations
• Diversification of the Board for Professional Teachers
• Flexibility to allow non-licensed experts to teach provisionally

4. Amendments to the Local Government Code – Special Education Fund (SEF):

• Raising the SEF levy from 1% to 2% of assessed property value
• Expanding allowable uses to cover operations of special education, IP and madrasah classes, open high schools, flexible learning, school site acquisition, and school building maintenance

DepEd also expressed its support for the Classroom Building Acceleration Bill, which seeks to speed up classroom construction nationwide by allowing greater implementation flexibility and enabling partnerships with various stakeholders.

Angara stressed that these proposed measures are essential in improving education quality and ensuring that all learners receive the support they need to succeed.

“Strengthening these programs is essential to deliver better learning outcomes and to give every Filipino learner a fair chance at success,” he said.

DepEd added that collaboration with Congress, local government units, and development partners will be crucial to ensure that these reforms are fully implemented once enacted into law. —VAL, GMA Integrated News