BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City Council has approved the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Baguio City Free Youth Meals for College Students Ordinance of 2023, paving the way for the city’s free meals program that will provide up to P2,500 worth of monthly food vouchers to qualified low-income college students in the city’s higher education institutions.
The free youth meals program under the ordinance seeks to make education more accessible by reducing food insecurity and support retention rates among college students, especially those from low-income households, while also promoting health and nutrition.
The program applies to college or university students in the city, including student assistants, provided they meet specific qualifications which include: being a Baguio resident from a low-income family, passing the screening done by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), maintaining passing grades, and not being a recipient of another government subsidy.
Qualified students are granted P2,500 worth of food vouchers per month.
These vouchers will be redeemable at accredited partner food establishments within the city.
Distribution will be handled through a secure system coordinated by the CSWDO in partnership with participating schools to verify eligibility and prevent misuse.
An initial funding of P2.64 million under the CSWDO’s budget for the first year of implementation.
The funds may be increased upon the recommendation of the CSDO.
According to CSWDO, the initial target number of beneficiaries is 100.
Applicants may submit the following requirements to to the office units to CSWDO at Saint Louis University (SLU), University of the Cordilleras (UC), and University of Baguio (UB) or to the social worker assigned in every barangay:
Accomplished application form
Certification of indigency from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), through its unit offices
For incoming freshmen: Form 138 (High School Report Card); for other college levels: copy of grades from the previous semester
Barangay certificate of residency indicating that the applicant’s family has been bona fide residents of Baguio City for at least one (1) year
Certificate of enrollment
Voter’s ID or COMELEC voter’s certificate (if not available, parent’s voter’s ID or voter’s certificate)
The ordinance, principally authored by former Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) President Levy Lloyd Orcales, was enacted by the city council in 2023.
Its IRR was crafted by current SKF President John Rhey Mananeng, with input from the CSWDO.
Share