President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday inspected health and nutrition programs at Sta. Barbara Central School as the government expands efforts to improve access to healthcare and address malnutrition among learners.
Marcos visited booths under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program Caravan, a joint initiative of the Department of Education and PhilHealth that provides health services to students, teachers and communities. Similar school-based YAKAP activities have been rolled out nationwide as part of government efforts to expand access to primary care.
Services at the school included PhilHealth registration and member data updating, as well as medical and dental checkups and the distribution of vitamins and medicines.
Around 200 learners, parents and teachers benefited from the caravan.
Marcos also observed the School-Based Feeding Program, where 50 severely wasted and undernourished Grade 2 to 6 learners received hot meals and nutrition packs.
For School Year 2026-2027, the feeding program targets 385 beneficiaries at Sta. Barbara Central School, including 183 learners classified as wasted or severely wasted.
Across Pangasinan, the program covers 552 public schools as part of efforts to address malnutrition and support learning outcomes.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said adequate nutrition and access to healthcare are intended to help students concentrate and perform better in school.
During the visit, Marcos also inspected a science room, observed a class and interacted with Grade 5 students.
The Office of the President also distributed 1,194 school bags to learners during the activity.
