Breakfast Kiddie Meals

We do not close our eyes to the problem of malnutrition and its direct effect on learning. In our country, the brighter students are always the richer ones because they get to have full stomachs before reaching the school. Academic performance is then a product of financial capability.

It used to be that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. In fact, it was more than a meal, it was the very symbol of a loving and adequate family. Nanay would lovingly prepare the meal. In the Philippines, it doesn't take long to prepare: fry some rice from last night's leftovers, slice up some fresh tomatoes, and fry some dried fish or (if there's any) corned beef. Before eating, Tatay would lead the prayer of thanksgiving for another day ahead. It was a time when the whole family can be together.

Photo: Associated Press/Aaron Favila 

For all its good intentions, this bill advocating free breakfast in all public elementary schools cannot replace that. The state cannot be too overreaching in its role to take over the family. A people that so evidently places a premium on the family -- kapamilya, kapuso, kabarkada, etc -- cannot in good conscience relinquish the institution of breakfast to the government. It doesn't do anything to strengthen the Filipino family.

It is a band-aid solution to the bigger problem of joblessness, which is a direct symptom of corruption. We cannot pretend to be a welfare "nanny" state when the government is far too corrupt a nanny. It will do our legislators a lot of good if they focus on the fight against corruption while it is gaining much momentum now thanks to Pres. Aquino. As custodians of our taxes, the government is yet to prove itself responsible before it starts buying breakfast kiddie meals and flirting with other socialist policies.