MANILA, Philippines – The P5.69 billion School Based Feeding Program (SBFP) of the Department of Education (DepEd) was spoiled by the non-delivery of milk and the serving of stale, even pest-infested, bread in 2023.
State auditors identified at least 21 school divisions in 10 regions where one or all of the following were found:
- Nutribuns with molds or insects
- Rotten food
- Unhygienic packaging
- Food with doubtful dates of manufacturing and expiry
- Non-delivery or delayed delivery of food items and pasteurized milk
The findings were for 2023, the first and last full fiscal year that the DepEd was under secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte, although the SBFP has been running for many years.
The SBFP is a program that provides nutritious food to undernourished students in public elementary schools. The food items that children are served include hot meals, bread, fruits, eggs, sweet potato, and pasteurized milk.
That’s ₱5.69 Billions… not millions… down the drain.
