ASA Philippines Foundation is scaling up its flagship child-feeding initiative, bringing daily nutritious meals to more than 42,000 undernourished children across the country through its strengthened “Sustansya at Pag-Asa” Child Nutrition Program.
Backed by a PHP 121.8-million investment, the 120-day community and school-based feeding program is now running in nearly 300 public schools across 34 provinces. The effort is being rolled out in partnership with Hapag-Asa and directly supports the government’s Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
“This program is ASA’s humble investment in the future,” said Rapa Lopa, President and CEO of ASA Philippines Foundation. “When a child is nourished, they’re not just healthier—they have a better chance to learn, become productive citizens, and eventually rise out of poverty.”
The expansion comes at a crucial moment for the Philippines. In the 2025 Global Hunger Index, the country ranked 66th out of 123 nations, with a stunting rate of 27.7 percent among children under five—significantly higher than the global average of 22.3 percent.
In response to this urgent need, ASA Philippines has increased its investment to make the latest cycle, which began last June 30, the most extensive implementation of Sustansya at Pag-Asa since the program launched in 2021.
Central to the program’s success is its strong community involvement. Parents, teachers, barangay workers, and volunteers help prepare meals, distribute food, and monitor children’s nutritional progress, making the initiative not only a feeding program but also a movement of shared responsibility.
Sustansya at Pag-Asa also champions local food sustainability. Weekly purchases of vegetables, meat, and other supplies are made from municipal farmers and vendors, boosting local livelihoods while encouraging families to adopt better nutrition habits at home.
The Child Nutrition Program forms part of ASA’s ₱1-billion annual social investment commitment—an enduring pledge made by the late founder, Ambassador Howard Dee—to lift vulnerable Filipino communities through long-term initiatives in nutrition, education, health, the environment, and livelihood.