11P Schools in Palawan begin 6-month feeding program benefiting 1,858 learners

The program covers remote Indigenous Peoples (IP) schools in the municipalities of Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Taytay, and El Nido. Among the beneficiary schools are Ipaputo and Malanap Highway Elementary Schools in Sofronio Española; AMAS Elementary School in Brooke’s Point; Rogelio Verano Esteban Elementary School in Bataraza; Eufemio Sabroso, Pamantolon, and Alacalian Elementary School in Taytay; and Sibaltan, Buluang, Lamoro, and Geronimo P. Hamora Elementary Schools in El Nido.

Under the program, students will receive free, nutritious meals five days a week for six months, with regular monitoring of their weight and height to assess improvements in their nutritional status, a model designed and funded by ASA Philippines Foundation.

Founded in 2004, ASA Philippines is a non-stock, non-profit microfinance institution committed to uplifting poor Filipino families, particularly women micro-entrepreneurs, through micro-loans and reinvestment in community development programs such as education, health, sanitation, and nutrition.

With over two million clients and more than 1,800 branches nationwide, ASA Philippines has long operated feeding programs for children under 12 in underserved areas.

The schools are located in barangays officially classified by the Department of Education as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), where long walks, poor access to food, and a lack of school resources contribute to learning delays and high dropout risks. Teachers and health workers in these areas will coordinate the daily meal preparation and lead monthly nutrition checks to monitor the impact of the program.

ASA Philippines’ feeding model, based on its earlier nationwide efforts, has demonstrated effectiveness in improving attendance, classroom focus, and overall child well-being. In past initiatives, the foundation has also provided other forms of community aid such as scholarships, livelihood support, and healthcare assistance.

The current rollout in Palawan marks one of its largest feeding initiatives in Indigenous communities to date. It is expected to run until the end of December 2025, with data collection and outcome assessments guiding potential expansion into other GIDA schools across the province.