DepEd issues operational guidelines on the implementation of SBFP
By BELLIE T. LATAR
Teacher II
Bancasi Integrated School
West Butuan District III
The Department of Education (DepEd) has maintained its commitment to provide good nutrition to learners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. DepEd shall continue the implementation of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) for School Year (SY) 2020-2021 to address hunger and encourage learners to enroll, contribute to the improvement of their nutritional status, provide nourishment for their growth and development and help boost their immune system, and enhance and improve their health and nutrition values.
In consideration of the changes brought about the pandemic as to how learning will be delivered for SY 2020-2021, the implementation of the SBFP shall be modified, putting utmost importance to the welfare, safety, and health of learners and personnel involved, while also ensuring the attainment of the program objectives.
As per DepEd Order No. 23, s. 2020, the SBFP shall be implemented in line with the Basic Education Learning Plan and in strict compliance with the DepEd’s required health standards.
The SBFP primary beneficiaries for SY 2020-2021 shall be all incoming kindergarten learners, and the Grade 1 to Grade 6 learners who were wasted and severely wasted based on the SY 2019-2020 SBFP report, except those who have moved to Grave 7. In case of excess funds, the stunted learners identified as such in the SY 2019-2020 SBFP implementation, the pupils-at-risk-of dropping-out, indigenous people learners, and those coming from indigent-families, shall be considered as secondary beneficiaries.
The program shall provide beneficiaries with nutritious food products-through rationing – for at least 60 feeding days, and fresh or sterilized milk for 50 feeding days. ###
