The pilot implementation of Project Alaga, the school-based feeding program proposed by the Davao City government, is expected to begin this month following the completion of the legislative process by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the final approval of the Memorandum of Agreement between the city government and the Department of Education, according to Councilor Antoinette Principe.
Legislative Progress and Next Steps
Principe, chairperson of the Committee on Education, stated that the proposed measure will be submitted for second reading next week after the committee concluded a series of hearings to discuss the program's implementation. She expressed hope that the ordinance authorizing the city mayor to sign the MOA with DepEd will receive support from her fellow councilors.
"We will submit the item for second reading next week because we have already conducted committee hearings purposely to tackle the school-based feeding program. I hope my colleagues will be supportive of that. Hopefully within this month or next month we will be having the pilot testing already for the school-based feeding program," Principe said during the Pulong Pulong sa Dabawenyos on June 30, 2026, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Memorandum of Agreement and Legal Review
Principe explained that the committee hearings also aimed to finalize the MOA, which has been submitted to the City Legal Office for a legal opinion. Once the legal review is completed, the mayor may sign the agreement after receiving authority from the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Preparations Completed Despite Pending Approval
Despite the pending approval, preparations for the implementation are already complete. Principe noted that the city government benchmarked the central kitchen and farm on-site kitchen models in Valenzuela City in October and December last year to guide the development of the program in Davao City.
Several city offices, including the City Planning and Development Office, City Engineer's Office, City Agriculture Office, City Budget Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and other offices under the City Mayor's Office, have undergone capacity-building activities to prepare for the program's implementation.
Menu Planning and Procurement Training
Menu planning was completed between February and March, resulting in a finalized cycle menu for meals to be prepared in on-site kitchens. Capacity training on the procurement of raw materials has also been conducted to ensure that food supplies come from cooperatives and local organizations in Davao City, providing additional support to local producers.
Funding and Oversight
Principe emphasized that while the Davao City government has allocated funding for the initiative, the Department of Education-Davao City will oversee the implementation of the feeding program. She also noted that funds for the project are already available following the approval of Supplemental Budget No. 1, allowing the city government to support the implementation once all legal requirements are completed.
