FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s. No. 1003 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST) conducted a survey covering 12,425 
children aged 0 - 10 years of age, with groupings of pre-school age children 
(0 - 5) and school age children (6 - 10). There were 10,364 pre-school 
children and 1,791 school age children included in the survey. 
The survey revealed that among pre-school children, underweight 
prevalence was 30.6%, under-height 31.4%, and prevalence of thinness 
was 6.3%, while a higher proportion for ul)derweight children which was 
estimated at 32.9%,41 % for under-height, and 6.5% for thinness for school 
age children. 
Indeed, malnutrition remains as one .of the major problems of the 
country today. It continues to jeopardize the growth and mental 
development potentials as well as the very survival of millions of Filipino 
children. 
Thus, it becomes imperative that the National Nutrition Program be 
strengthened to address the problem of malnutrition and effectively guide 
every Filipino towards a healthy lifestyle and improved quality of life. 
L "LITO" M .LAPID 
Senator 
th 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1003 
f 
Introduced by Senator Manuel, "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
NATIONAL. 
NUTRITION 
PROGRAM, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Accelerate Nutrition 
Improvement (ANI) Act of 2010." 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to 
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and 
independence of the nation and free the people· from poverty through policies that 
provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living 
and an improved quality of life for all, to defend and promote the right of children to 
assistance including proper care and nutrition and special protection from all forms of 
neglect, 
abuse, 
cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their 
development. 
In line with the above, the State further declares its determination to eliminate 
hunger and reduce all forms of malnutrition are acceptable in a world that has both the 
knowledge and resources to end this human catastrophe. 
The State maintains that nutrition is both a~ end-goal and a means to achieve 
development It is a multi-factorial concern requiring inputs from all sectors. As such, 
nutrition shall be a priority of the government to be implemented by al/ its branches in 
collaboration with non-government organizations and the private sector, the business 
sector and people's organization, in an integrated manner with focus to nutritionally and 
economically depressed areas, communities and hQuseholds. 
1 


. 
SEC. 3. 
Objectives. - This measure aims to improve the nutritional status 
. 
of the country and its citizenry. In order to achieve improved nutrition, it aims to: 
a) 
Strengthen the National Nutrition Council (NGG) as the highest 
policymaking and coordinating body on nutrition to ensure coherence of nutrition 
programs of national government agencies, local government units and non-
government organizations with the national nutritional plan; 
b) 
Provide a policy environment conducjve to nutrition improvement in both 
social and economic development sectors; 
c) 
Provide mechanisms, strategies and approaches in 
implementing 
programs and projects to improve nutritional status and to eradicate hunger and 
malnutrition; as well as prescribe standards and criteria for efficient and effective 
intervention to maximize the impact for the nutritionally-at-risk; and 
d) 
Ensure participation and cooperation on the NNe member agencies, other 
national government agencies (NGAs) or instrumentalities, local government units 
(LGUs), non government organizations (NGOs), and the academe in an integrated 
manner for the promotion of the nutritional well-being of the population. 
SEC. 4. 
Definition Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
a) 
NNC - the existing National Nutritional Council as created by Presidential 
Decree No. 491 as amended by Executive Order No. 234 and Administrative Order No. 
88. 
b) 
BIDANI -
Barangay Integrated DeVelopment Approach for Nutrition 
Improvement of the rural poor (BIDANI) is a strategy and network program for nutrition 
improvement utilizing a systematic and holistic approach to development planning with 
active involvement of all sectors at different levels of activities. It is spearheaded by a 
network of state universities and colleges (SU.Cs) utilizing multi-disciplinary and 
technical human resources, which are non-political and which guarantee continuity. It 
strengthens direct nutrition interventions as a shared responsibility between the 
community and service providers to prevent malnutrition and to rehabilitate 
malnourished children. 
c) 
Household food security - access by all people at all times to nutritionally 
adequate and safe food needed for an active and healthy life. 
d) 
Local chief executive - the highest elective position in a local government 
unit. More specifically, it refers to the governor, city and municipal mayors and barangay 
captain. 
e) 
Local nutrition plan - the medium term and annual integrated nutritional 
plan formulated by the LGU to address its nutritional problems, which is integral to the 
2 


, . 
local development plan, It is based on the particular needs and situation of the LGU, but 
adheres to the general principles and directions set in the national nutritional plan. 
f) 
National nutrition plan - the medium-term and annual integrated nutrition 
plan formulated by the National Nutrition Council. 'It sets goals and directions for the 
formulation and implementation of programs and projects by relevant government 
instrumentalities, LGUs, NGOs, including business corporations and community-based 
organizations, the academe and international community. It is also an integral 
component of the Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan (MTPDP). As such, the 
national nutritional plan adheres to development effbrts enunciated in the MTPDP. 
g) 
Non-government Organization (NGO) - private, non-profit organizations 
that are committed to the task of socioeconomic development and established primarily 
for service. 
h) 
Nutritionally depressed areas -
barangays, cities, municipalities, or 
'. 
provinces which, based on nutrition and one or more socioeconomic indicators, are 
nutritionally more disadvantaged when compared t~ other areas of the country. 
SEC. 5. 
The National Nutrition Council. - The National Nutrition Council 
(NNC) composed of a governing board and a secretariat, is the highest policymaking 
body on nutrition. It shall formulate the medium-term and annual nutrition plan, and 
coordinate its implementation. It shall provide over-all directions for the nutrition plans 
and programs and coordinate with all other agencies which contribute resources and 
expertise for nutrition development. It shall meet a,l least two (2) times a year, without 
prejudice to holding of more frequent meetings as may be needed. 
In order to increase its efficiency and effectiveness, the composition of the NCC 
governing board is hereby expanded: 
a) 
The governing board - The governing shall be composed of secretaries or 
head of the following agencies: 
I. 
Department of Agriculture - who is hereby designated as chairman; 
2. 
Department of Health -who shall be the vice-chairman; 
3. 
Department of Social Welfare and Development - Member; 
4. 
Department of Education, Culture and Sports - Member; 
5. 
Department of Interior and Local Government - Member; 
6. 
Department of Science and Technology - Member; 
7. 
Department of Budget and Management - Member; 
8. 
Department of Labor and Employment - Member; 
9. 
Department of Agrarian Reform - Member; 
10. 
Department of Trade and Indu~try - Member; 
11. 
National Economic and Development Authority - Member; 
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12. 
Commission on Higher Education - Member; and 
13. 
Three (3) representatives from the private sector to be appointed by 
the President. 
The Board shall create a permanent technic~1 committee and ad hoc committees 
of experts as it may deem necessary, to act as the Council's advisory body on policy 
and program matters. The members of the technical committee shall also facilitate intra 
and intra-agency and sectoral coordination of efforts for nutrition improvement. 
The chairperson and the members of the board and technical committee and 
committees of experts shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to honoraria 
and other emoluments as may be fixed by the Board for every meeting actually 
attended, subject to existing laws, rules and regulati:ons. 
b) 
The secretariat shall serve as the executive arm of the governing board. It 
shall be headed by an executive director, assisted by two (2) deputy executive directors, 
all of whom shall be appointed by the President. 
SEC. 6. 
Functions and Powers. - The Council shall have the following 
functions and powers: 
a) 
Formulate national nutrition policies, plans, strategies and approaches for 
nutritional improvement; 
b) 
Formulate standard and criteria for efficient and effective interventions to 
maximize impact for the nutritionally at-risk populations; 
c) 
Educate the public on nutrition and its importance to individual, 
community, and national development; 
d) 
Oversee and serve as local point in the coordinated implementation of 
policies and programs of all member and government instrumentalities as well as other 
concerned non-government organizations charged,with the execution of existing laws, 
policies, rules and regulations concerning nutrition; 
e) 
Coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and projects of both public 
and private sectors as well as LGUs in order to . ensure integration of nutrition with 
national' policies; 
f) 
Generate resources either by direct solicitation or by fund raising activities 
from various entities, agencies, and the general public; acting as trustee of funds 
generated to support nutrition program and projects; 
g) 
Call upon any government agency and instrumentality comprising the 
pillars of the executive and legislative systems for such assistance as may be required 
to implement the provisions of this Act in order to reduce and eventually eliminate 
malnutrition in the country; and 
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h) 
Do such act, adopt such measures, enter into such arrangements to issue 
such rules and regulations as may be proper for the integration, systematization, 
administration and implementation of all nutrition programs. 
SEC. 7. 
Role of NNC Member-Agencies, other National Government 
Agencies and Local Government Units, the Academe, and Non-government 
Organizations in the ANI Act. - The NNC member agencies shall ensure the 
successful implementation of programs and projects, development of promotional, 
preventive and curative nutrition programs, and integration of nutrition concerns in their 
respective pOlicies and plans. They shall provide additional resources in any form in 
support of the local nutrition plan as a continuing involvement of the national 
government to local plans and programs. 
They shall likewise submit to the NNC governing board through the NNC 
secretariat yearly accomplishment reports of nutrition and nutrition related activities for 
the assessment and evaluation of the government d,elivery system on nutrition. 
Other national government agencies shall serve as an important link in promoting 
nutrition in development through participation in tre continuing advocacy for nutrition 
improvement, and integration of nutrition consideration in their sectoral plans and 
programs. The local government units (LGUs), pursuant to the Local Government Code 
of 1991, shall provide and deliver basic nutrition services and facilities to the 
community. As such, they shall formulate, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate 
medium-term and annual local nutrition plans. The LGUs shall organize inter-agency 
local nutrition committees which shall be chaired by the local chief executive either as a 
committee of the local development council (LOC) or as a subcommittee of a committee 
of the LOC. LGUs shall integrate nutrition considerations in their short, medium and 
, 
long-term development plans and programs and shall coordinate with the NNC in the 
enforcement of the Act. 
LGUs shall recruit, train and deploy nutritionist-dietitians in every municipality, 
city, and province; and recruit, train and deploy barangay nutrition scholars in every 
barangay in support of the local nutrition plan. LGUs shall also submit to the NNC 
annual reports of accomplishments of their respective nutrition plans. State universities 
and colleges (SUC) and OECS - supervised schools and colleges shall intensify 
nutrition-related training, research and extension Sl!pport activities through the BIDANA 
network program and other relevant approaches, thereby accelerating community 
development in partnership with the LGUs. They shall likewise coordinate with their 
respective LGUs in connection with nutrition and related initiatives. They shall also 
submit to their respective LGUs quarterly reports of accomplishments on nutrition and 
related concerns. 
5 


'. 
SEC. 8. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of 
the National Nutrition Council. Thereafter, such aQ10unt as may be necessary for its 
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act. 
SEC. 9. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NNC in cooperation 
with the agencies concerned, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its approval. 
SEC. 10. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application 
of such provision to any instrumentalities or entities or circumstances is held invalid or 
unconstitutional for any reason the remainder, or this Act or the application of such 
other provisions shall not be affected and shall remain in force and in effect. 
SEC. 11. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws and part of laws, decrees, orders, 
proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. 
Saving Clause. - Powers, functions and rights already acquired 
and existing at the time of the passage of this Act shall not in any way be abridged, 
modified nor abated, unless repealed, amended or modified under the preceding 
section, 
SEC. 13. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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