Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 46.38

Introduced By HON. RODOLFO ANTONINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was conceived in recognition of the role of our registered dietitian in buman
development and seeks to regulate and improve the practice of the profession. By doing so,
promoting a healthy citizenry is encouraged, thereby contributing to the development of a
stronger nation.

Im order for our country to have a strong and healthy citizenry, the development and
promotion of proper nutrition and dietetics should therefore be encouraged and sustained.
‘Negative changes that affect the environment globally has affected the human species.
Pollutants in the air and water, climate changes are just some of the elements that affect us
humans physically. Coupled with poor autrition, it certainly affects productivity among our
workforce and affects learning ability among our youth. Improvement in the practice of
proper nutrition and dietetics should therefore be implemented to counter this phenomenon.

‘The guidelines and regulations provided for in this act will effectively promote the efficient
and effective practice of the profession. It hopes to put the country at par, if not
internationally, at least with our Asian counterparts in terms of the practice of nutrition and
dietetics. The immediate passage of this bill is therefore earnestly prayed for.

YY

IDOLFOW. ANTONINO


Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress 2010
First Regular Session

House Bill No. AG 33

Introduced by HON. RODOLFO ANTONINO

AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS IN THE
PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1286,
KNOWN AS THE “NUTRITION AND DIETETICS DECREE OF 1977",
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
asserubled:

ARTICLE I
TITLE

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “The Nutrition and Dietetics
Law of 2010”.

ARTICLE 1
General Provisions

Sec. 1. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the important role of registered
dietitians (RDs) in nation-building and human development through adequate nutrition.
Towards this end, it promotes the sustained development of RD whose competence has
been determined by honest and credible licensure examinations and whose standards of
professional service and practice are internationally recognized and considered world-class
brought about by regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster growth and
advancement of the profession.

See. 2. Objectives. - This Act shall govern:
(a) The examination, registration and ficensure of nutritionist-dictitians,
(>) The supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of nutrition and
dicteties;
(©) The development of the professional competence of nutritionist-
dietitians through continuing professional education (CPE);
(@) The imegration of the nutrition-dietetics profession.


Sec. 3. Definition of Terms.

(@ Profession is the science and art or discipline of nutrition and dietetics
combined.

{b)  “Nutritionist-dietitian” refers to a registered and licensed person who
holds a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional
identification card issued by the Board and the Commission pursuant
to this Act.

(© “Board” refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Nutrition and
Dicteties.

(4) “Commission” refers to the Professional Regulation Commission
created under R.A. No. 8981, known as the “PRC Modernization Act
of 2000”,

(e) APO refers to the accredited professional organization of nutritionist-
dietitians that the Board has accredited, subject to the approval by the
‘Commission, as the one and only accredited national organization of
hutritionist~<dietitians,

( “Nutrition” refers to the science of foods, the nutrients and other
substances therein, their action, interaction and balance in relation to
health and disease and the process by which the human being ingests,
digests, absorbs, transports, utilizes and excretes food substances
Nutrition is also concerned with social, economic, cultural, political,
and psychological implications of food and eating.

(8) “Dietetics” refers to the promotive, preventive, therapeutic, and
administrative aspects of the deiivery of nutritional services in
hospitals, foodservice institutions and other health care
institutions/facilities. (define)

Sec. 4. The Practice of Nutrition and Dietetics. - A person is deemed to be in the
Practice of nutrition and dietetics within the meaning and intent of this law when he or she,
for a fee, salary or other reward or compensation, paid to the individual or through another
Person or even without such rewards or compensation, renders or offers to render
professional services in nutrition and dietetics.

Scope of Practice. - The practice of nutrition and dictetics may include, but not be
limited to, the following areas:

(a) Academe - teachers of nutrition, dietetics and foodservice courses.

(>) Business and industry - professionals working in the business and
industry doing work requiring sutrition and dictetics background;
includes private practitioners and consultants in nutrition.

(©) Food production and product development ~ professionals invotved in
developing and producing new food products following the principles
of food and nutrition.

(d) Foodservice — consultants and managers in food service establishments
engaged in institutional foad production, secipe development asd
standartization, implementation of food safety and sanitation practices,
delivery and evaluation of services.

(©) Hospital — clinical dietitians, therapeutic dietitians, administrative
dietitians, food service managers and/or nutrition support unit heads in
hospital settings.


(Community and public health nutrition — professionals involved in
food and nutrition policy formulation, community assessment,
planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation of nuwition
programs and advocacy: consultants and technical advisers on
nutrition.

(g) Food and nutrition research ~ professionals involved in basic and
applied food and nutrition research,

(8) Wellness and sports nutrition — professionals and consultants involved
in nutrition aspects in wellness and sports programs.

‘The Board subject to approval by the Commission may revise the scope of practice as the
need arises.

ARTICLE 0
NUTRITION AND DIETETICS EDUCATION PROVISION

See 5. Nutrition and Dietetics Education Program — The Nutrition and Dietetics education
program shall provide sound general and professional foundation for the practice of nutrition.

The fearning experiences shail adhere strictly to specific requirements embodied in
the prescribed curriculum as promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education’s policies
and standards of Nutrition and Dietetics education.

See 6. Requirement for Inactive Nutritionist-Dietitians Returning to Practice ~
‘Nutritionist-Dietitians who have not actively practiced the profession for five (5) consecutive
years are required to attend and pass a refresher’s course and complete a related practicum
both offered by an institution accredited by the APO. PREND, the Board subject to
approval by the Commission,

See 7. Qualifications of the Faculty — A member of the faculty in a college offering a
Program on nutrition and dietetics must:

(a) Be a registered mutritionist-dietitian in the Phitippines;

() Have at least one (1) year of practice in a field of specialization;

(©) Be a member of good standing of the accredited professional organization of
wotritionist-dietitians; and

) Preferably be a holder of master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, education, or other
allied medical and health sciences conferred by a college of a university duly
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education.

In addition to the aforementioned qualifications, the head of the ND program must have a
master's degree in nutrition and dietetics. He/she must have at least five (5) years of
experience in nutrition and dietetics.

ARTICLE IV
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

See 8. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nutrition
and Dietetics. There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Nutrition and
Dietetics, hereinafter-referred to as the Board, a collegial body under the administrative
supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), hereinafter-


referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a chairman and two (2) members appointed
by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) recommendees for each position
chosen and submitted by the Commission thereto from a list of five (5) nominees for every
Position endorsed by the accredited professional organization (APO).

Sec. 9. Qualifications of Chairman and Members of the Board.- ‘The chairman or
member shalt, at the time of his/her appointment, possesses all the following qualifications.

{a) A citizen and a resident of the Philippines,

(0) At least 35 years of age,

(©) Of good morat character,

{a} Not convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of an offense
involving moral turpitude,

© A registered and licensed nutritionist-dietitian with a valid certificate
of registration and a valid Professional identification card,

(© A holder of « post-graduate degree in nutrition and dietetics or a
related field as determined by PRC from an institution recognized by
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

(8) Have at least five years of continuous practice of the profession prior
to his/her appointment,

a) A member in good standing of the APO,

() Nota member of the faculty of any school, college or university where
a regular/review course in nutrition and dietetics is offered at the time
of appointment,

@ Not an owner or member/staff of any review school or cemter, and not
have any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any such institution,
and

(K) Not an officer, board member or trustee of the APO and APO
foundation.

Vacancy of the position of the chairman shall be occupied in acting capacity or as officer in,
charge by the most senior member until the chairman shall have been appointed, ‘The
chairman and the members shail duty take their oath of office.

Sec. 11. Compensation, Allowances and other Benefits. - The chairperson and
members of the Board shall receive compensation, allowances, and other benefits comparable
to those that the chairperson and members of other professional regulatory boards under the
Commission enjoy as provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

See. 12. Powers, Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities of the Board. - The Board shail
exercise executive/ administrative, rule-making, and quasi-judicial powers in carrying out the
Provisions of this Act. It shall be vested with the following specific powers, functions duties, and
responsibilities:

Regulatory functions:


@)
(b)
(c)
@
©

Licensure

@

@

(hy
@
@

{k)
0)

(@)

Issue and promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisiéns
of this Act;

Adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics, the Code of Good Governance,
and the Code of Technical Standards for the Practice of Nutrition and
Dietetics;

Adopt an official seal of the Board;

Prescribe and promulgate guidelines on the Continuing Professional
Education (CPE) for autritionist-dietitians in consultation with the APO;
Entter together with the Commission into a Memorandum of Agreement with
the CHED in ensuring that all higher educational instructions and offerings of
degree, course or program comply with the policies, standards, and
Fequirements of the course prescribed by the CHED jn the areas of
curriculum, faculty, library, and facilities;

Functions

Prescribe and promulgate the tables of specifications syllabi for the subjects
in the licensure examination/s in consultation with the academe and the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

Prepare questions for the subjects in the licensure examinations, give and

correct the said examinations, and release their results;

Evaluate and approve applications for licensure examination/s,

Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate the Certificate of Registration for the

practice of the nutrition and dietetics;

Register with or without licensure examination/s qualified persons for the

practice of nutrition and dietetics and issue thereto Certificates of

Registration and professional identification cards;

Administer oaths in the performance of its functions;

Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of nutrition and dietetics as

may be deemed proper for the maintenance of professional, ethical and

technical standards

Reissue or reinstate revoked/suspended certificate of registration and
unexpired professional identification card to respondent's holder thereof:
Provided, the revoked certificate of registration hall only be reissued after
the lapse of the period provided in this Act; Provided, further, the Board
shall issue a resolution thereon subject to approval by the Commission,
after he/she shall have established his/her fitness to practice anew his/her
nutrition and dietetics and, provided, furthermore, the suspended certificate
Of registration shall onty be reissued upon the period imposed in the
decision of the Board;

Administrative Functions

(n)

Hear and investigate cases on violations of this Act, its implementing rules
and regulations, the Code of Ethics, the Code of Good Governance, the
Code of Technical Standards for the practice of profession, and other
policies; and for this purpose, to issue summons, subpoena and subpoena
duces tecum to alleged violators and/or witnesses to compel their
attendance in such hearings or investigations;


(0)

@

(@)

©

()

oO

Delegate the hearing or investigation of cases against the alleged violators;

Provided, hearing or investigation of cases wherein the issue or question
involved strictly concems the technical practice of nutrition and dietetics
shall be presided over by at least one (1) member of the Board assisted by
a Legal or Hearing Officer of the Commission;

Endorse cases involving criminal violations of this Act and other laws, its
rules and regulations, and other policies to the Prosecution Office for
investigation;

Decide administrative cases against examinees or registered Nutritionist-
Dietitians; Provided, if they are guilty, to cancel their examination papers
and/or debar them from taking another licensure examination, or to revoke/
suspend their certificate of registration; Provided, further, the effectivity of
the penalty shail only commence from the date of surrender of the said
certificates together with the professional identification cards; Provided,
furthermore, the decision of the Board shall, unless appealed to the
Commission, become final and executory after fifteen (15) days from
receipt of notice of judgment or decision;

Conduct through the Legal or Hearing Officers summary proceedings on
minor violation of this Act, its IRR, any of the Codes afore-mentioned, the
General instructions to Examinee committed by examinees, and to render
summary judgment thereon which shall, unless appealed to the

Commission, become final and executory after fifteen (15) days from
receipt of notice of judgment or decision:

an annual report of accomplishments, programs, projects, and
activities of the Board during the year of submission to the Commission
afler the close of each calendar year and to make appropriate
recommendations on issues or problems affecting the profession to the
Commission; and
Discharge other implied, incidental, necessary powers, duties, fiunctions,
and responsibilities for the effective carrying out of the provisions of this
Act and its policies or measures and the achievement of its objectives.

See. 13. Grounds for Removal or Suspension of Board Chairpeman/Member. - The
President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after giving the
chairman or the member of the Board an opportunity to defend himselherself in an
administrative investigation conducted by the Commission, may remove or suspend himvher

on any of the following grounds:
4
(a) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of his/her
duty;
() Violation of any of the causes/grounds/ and the prohibited acts
provided in this Act and the offenses in the Revised Penal Code, the
‘Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices, and other laws;
(©) Manipulation or rigging of the results of the licensure examination for

Tutritionist-dietitians, disclosure of secret and confidential information
on the examination questions prior to the conduct thereof, or tampering

of grades.


The Commission, in the conduct of the investigation, shail be guided by Sec. 7 (s) of
R.A. No. 8981, the rules on administrative investigation, and the applicable provisions of the
New Rules of Court.

Sec. 14. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Office of the Secretary,
Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the
administrative supervision of the Commission. The Commission shall keep all records of the
Board including applications for examination, examination papers and results, minutes of
detiberation, and administrative cases. The Commission shalt designate the Secretary of the
Board who shall be a staff member in the Office, Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards
and shall provide the other support services to the Board in order to implement the provisions
of this Act.

ARTICLE V
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE

See. 15. Passing of Licensure Examination Requirement. - Except as otherwise
specifically allowed uncer this Act, applicants for registration for the practice of nutrition and
dietetics shall be required to pass a Board licensure examination for watritionist-dietitians
as provided for in this Act in such places and dates as the Commission may designate in the
Resolution thereof on the Master Schedules for all licensure examinations in accordance with
Sec. 7 (d) of R.A. No. 8981.

See. 16. Qualifications of Applicants. - An applicant for the licensure examination

(a) Citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country/state has a
reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of nutrition and
dietetics;

(>) Of good moral character,

(©) A bolder of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics or its
equivalent duly recognized or accredited by the CHED and conferred
by a schoot/college/university duly authorized by the government.

(@) Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of
‘competent jurisdiction.

See. 17. Subjects for Licensure Examination. - The licensure examination/s for
nutritionist-dietitian shail include, but not be limited to the following:

(@) Medical Nutrition Therapy
(b) Foods and Foodservice Systems
(©) Community and Applied Nutrition

‘The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise or exclude any
of the subjects and their tables of specifications syllabi, and add new ones as the need arises
to conform to technological changes brought about by continuing trends in the profession.


See. 18. Rating in the Licensure Examination, - To pass the licensure examination for
nutritionist-dietitian, a candidate must obtain a general or weighted average rating of seventy
five percent (75%), with no rating below fifty per cent (50%) in any subject, Provided, that
an applicamt who fails to obtain a passing average but who obtained at least seventy five
percent (75%) in cach of at Jeast one-half of the total subjects given in the examinations, may
be permitted to take within two (2) years from the date of his/her examination, another
examination, on the subjects in which he/she obtained a grade below seventy five percent
(75%). Should the examinee fail in the set of subjects repeated in the second examinations,
he shall be required to take all the subjects in the next examinations,

Sec. 19. Report of Rating. - The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings
obtained by the candidate not later than ten (10) days after the last day of the examination,
uniess it is extended for a valid cause.

Sec. 20. Oath. - Ail successfut candidates in the ticensure examination shall take their
oath of profession before the chairman or any member of the Board; or any authorized officer
of the Commission, prior to entering the practice of nutrition and dictetics.

Sec. 21. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. -
A centificate of registration shall be issued 10 those who are registered subject to payment of
fees prescribed by the Commission. Provided further that holders of Doctor of Philosophy in
Nutrition and Dietetics, Community Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, or institutional Management.
with at least 3 years pructice in the Philippines shalt be allowed to register without examination. It
shall bear the signature of the chairperson of the commission and the chairperson and
members of the board, indicating that the person named therein is entitled to the practice of
the profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. Until withdrawn, revoked, or
suspended in accordance with this Act, the certificate of registration shall remain in full force
and effect.

A professional identification card bearing the registration number and date, its
validity and expiry duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission shall likewise be
issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee. It shall be reissued after every
three (3) years upon payment of the prescribed fees therefor and compliance with the CPE
requirement.

See. 22. Automatic Registration of Nutritionist-Dietitians. — All nutritionist-dietitians
whose names appear at the roster of nutritionist-dietitians shall be automatically or ipso facto
fegistered as nutritionist-dietitians under this Act upon its effectivity. Pravided further that
holders of Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition and Dietetics, Community Nutrition, Public
Health Nutrition, or Institutional Management with at least 3 years Practice in the Philippines
shall be allowed to register without examination ‘upon payment of the prescribed fees.

See 23. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register any successful examinee
who has been:

{@) Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of
competent jurisdiction,

(by Found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct by the Board,

{c} Summarily adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to
Examinees by the Board, and


(@) Declared of unsound mind by the court of competent jurisdiction.

In refusing such registration, the Board shall give the applicant a written statement setting
forth the reasons therefore and shall file a copy thereof in its records. .

See. 24. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and Cancellation
of Temporary/Special Permit. - The Board shall have the power, upon notice and bearing, to
revoke or suspend the certificate of registration of a RND or to cancel a temporary/special
Permit granted to foreign nutritionist-dietitian, for violation of any of the causes im the
receding Section except ( ¢ }and of the following grounds:

(@) Violation of a provision of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, Code of
Good Governance, standards for the practice of nutrition and dietetics,
policy, and measures of the Board and/or the Commission;

(6) Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining histher certificate of
registration, professional identification card, temporaty/special permit,

(©) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting in death, injury
or damage;

(@) Neglect of failure to pay the annual registration fees for five (5)
consecutive years;

(©) Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and licensed
person by allowing him/her to use his certificate of registration and/or
professional identification card or his/her speciatemporary permit

{)  TMlegaity practicing the profession during his/her suspension
Practice thereof;

() Addicted to a drug or alcohol abuse impairing his/her ability to
Practice his/her profession or declared with unsound mind by a court of
a competent jurisdiction;

the

The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise or
exclude or add new ones as the need arises subject to approval by the Commission.

Any person, firm or association may Fike charge/s in accordance with the provision of
this Section against any registrant, or the Board may investigate violation of any of the
above-mentioned causes. Affidavit-complaint shall be filed together with the affidavits of

Sec. 25. Reissuance of Rewoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of lost or
Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card cy Temporary/Special
Permit- The Board may, upon petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked certificate of


reasows to practice his/her profession. For the grant of his/her petition, the Board shalt issue
a Board Resolution subject 1o approval by the Commission.

Duplicate copy of lost certificate of registration, professional identification card or
temporary/special permit may be reissued in secordance with ruies thereon and upon payment
of the prescribed fee thereof.

See. 26. Non-Payment of the Annual Registration Fees. The Board shall suspend a RD
from the practice of his/her profession for non-payment of the annual registration fees for five
(5) consecutive years from its last or previous year of payment. The resumption of his/her
practice shall take place only upon payment of the delinquent foes plus surcharges and
interest and in accordance with the rules of the Commission. The running of the five-year
period may be interrupted upon written notice about the discontinuance of his practice and
surrender of his/her certificate of registration to the Board and/or the Commission.

Sec. 27. Vested Rights: Automatic Registration. - A\l wutritionist-dietitians registered
at the effectivity of this Act shall automatically be registered hereunder, subject to the
provisions berein set forth as to future requirements.

Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Cards or
Temporary/Special Permits held by such persons in good standing at such effectivity shall
have the same force and effect as though they were issued on or after the said effectivity.

ARTICLE VI
PRACTICE OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Sec. 28. Lawful Practitioners of Nutrition and Dietetics. ‘The watural persons and
Juridical persons who shall be authorized to practice nutrition and dietetics:

(a) Natural persons

1) Duly registered and licensed as nutritionist-dietitian and
holders of valid certificates of registration and valid
professional identification cards issued by the Board and the
Commission pursuant this Act; and

2) Holders of valid temporary /special permits issued by the Board
and the Commission to foreign-licensed nutritionist-dietitian
pursuant to this Act.

(>) Juridical persons
1) Single _proprictorship refers to owner of wm

2) Partnership duly registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) as professional partnership pursuant to the
Civil Code and composed of all partners who are all duly
registered and licensed nutritionist-dietitians;

3) Corporation duly registered with the SEC as engaged in the
practice of nutrition and dietetics and with officers, Board of
Directors who are all registered and licensed nutritionist-
dietitians;

0


4) Association duly registered with the SEC as not-for-profit and
non-stock corporation whose officers, Board of Trustees, and
members are all registered and licensed nutritionist-dietitians.

‘These juridical persons shall also be registered with the Board and the
‘Commission in accordance with the rules and regulations thereon.

Sec. 29. Practice of Nutrition and Dietetics. Plantilla positions, whose titles bear
“nutritionist-dietitian* as well as positions requiring the expertise of RDs shall be occupied
by RDs. These include nutrition action officers, hospital nutritionist-dietitians, food service
managers in hospitals; foodservice institutions and business and industry; except those in
practice before the enactment of the law.

@

(by

©

(d)

(©)

No person shall offer himself in the Philippines, as or use the title
“‘Nutritionist-Dictitian” or any word, letter, figure, or sign whatsoever,
tending to convey the impression that he or she is a nutritionist
dietitian, or advertise or indicate in any manner that be or she is
qualified to perform the work of ¢ nutritionist-dietitian without holding
a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional identification
card as issued by the Board in accordance with this law and/or covered
by reciprocity, unless exempt from registration as provided under
Section 15 thereof.

Hospitals — All hospitals whether government or private with 10 10 15
bed capacity shalt employ a minimum of one full time RD; 25 10 50
bed capacity , a minimum of one full tome RD; 75 to 100 bed capacity,
& minimum of owo (2) full tame RD; above 100 to 150 bed capacity, a
minimum of three full time RD; above 150 to 200, four (4) full time
RD; above 200 to 300 bed capacity, « minimum of six (6) full time
RD; above 300 to 400 bed capacity, a minimum of eight (8) full time
RD; above 400 to S00 bed capacity, a minimum of ten (10) full time
RND: Provided, that 00 person shall be employed as nutritionist-
dietitian in any hospital without having been registered in accordance
with the provisions of this Law; and with updated professional
identification card in the duration of employment. Hospitals with less
than 25 bed capacity should hire the services of an RND consultant.
‘The provisions of this section shall be complied with within one year
from the

date of effectivity of this Law.

Nutrition agencies/local government units (LGUS). All these agencies
whether government or private shall employ RDs. Ail LGUs shall be
required to have at least one (1) nutritionist-dietitian per 50,000
poputation for each province, city/municipality and rural health unit.
Foodservice Managers/positions in hospitals and in foodservices in
healthcare institutions should be headed by RDs.

Foodservices in institutions including school cafeteria in elementary,
high school, colleges and universities; industrial cafeterias should
Preferably be occupied by RNDs. In the absence of a full time RD, a
consultant RD shall be availed of.

u


{f) Teaching of nutrition courses in allied fields, .g., Medicine, Nursing,
Midwifery, Dentistry, Haman Kinetics, Physical Education, Hotel
and Restaurant Management — Tourism should be done only by RDs.

(2) _ In addition to the required faculty qualifications, all schools, colleges
and_ universities, public and private, shail’ ensure that major
professional subjects required for licensure examinations shall be
taught by persons who are holders of valid certificates of registration
and valid professional identification card.

(h) For every eight to ten clients, wellness centers, sports clinics, fitness
centers must employ the services of one (1) fulltime or part time RD.

(Nutrition support units in hospitals should include RDs to provide
nutrition assessment and counseling,

See. 3. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreigner, except for countries for which the
country has reciprocity, shall be allowed to take the licensure examination for nutritionist.
dietitians, register, receive his/her certificate of registration and professional identification
card, and practice nutrition and dietetics in the Philippines unless the country or state of
which be is a subject or a citizen permits Filipino nutritionist-dietitians to practice within its
territorial limit on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or state: Provided,
‘however, that the number of foreigners allowed to practice in the Philippines shall not exceed
the number of Filipinos practicing in their respective countries,

See 31. Practice Through Temporary/Special Permit, — Special Aemporary permit
may be issued by the Board subject to approval by the Commission and payment of fees the
latter has prescribed and charged thereof to the following:

(Licensed nutritionist-dietitians from foreign countries/states whose
services are cither for a fee or free;

1) If they are internationally known nutritionist-dietitians or
experts in any branch or specialty of nutrition and dietetics;
and

2) If their services are ‘urgently and importantly necessary for lack
of inadequacy of available local specialists or experts for the
Promotion or advancement of the practice of nutrition and
dietetics through transfer of technology.

0) Licensed nutritionist-dietitians from foreign countries/states whose
services shall be free and limited to indigent patients in a particular
hospital, center or clinic.

(©) Licensed nutritionist-dietitians from foreign countries/states employed
as exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nutrition and
dietetics in schools, colleges or universities offering the course of
nutrition and dietetics.

‘The permit shall, among other things, contain these limitations and conditions for a
Period of no more than one (1) year subject to renewal, the branch or specialty of nutrition
and dietetics, and the specific place of practice such as clinic, hospital, center, school, college


or university offering the course of nutrition and dietetics. The Board, subject to approval by
the Commission, shall promulgate rules and regulations on the implementation of this
particular section,

See. 32. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program. All nutritionist
dietitians shall abide by the requirements, rules and regulation on continuing professional
education to be promulgated by the PRC Regulatory Board, subject to the approval of the
Commission, in coordination with the APO for nutrition and dietetics or any duty accredited
education institutions. For this purpose, a CPE Council is hereby created to implement the
CPE program.

Sec. 33. Indication of Numbers: Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card, Professional Tax Receipt (PTR), APO Membership and Official Receipt
(O.R.) - The nuttitionist-dictitian shall be required to indicate his/her Certificate of
Registration Number and date of issuance, and the expiry of his/her current professional
identification card, PTR Number, APO Membership Number and O.R. Number on the
documents he/she signs, uses, or issues in connection with the practice of nutrition and
dietetics,

See. 34. Roster of Nutritionist-Dietitians. A roster of nutritionist-dietitians shall be
Prepared by the Commission during the month of August every year, commencing on the
year following that in which the Law shall become effective. This roster shall contain the
name and address of each RND, date of registration or issuance of certificates and other
dates, which in the opinion of the Board may appear pertinent. The roster shall be opened for
public inspection, and copies thereof shall be on file in the records of the Commission. Other
bureaus or government agencies and the public may be given a copy upon request.

See. 35. Posting of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card or
Temporary/Special Permit. - The Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification of
Nutritionist-Dictitians or Temporary/Special Permit in original or authentic/autthenticated
copies shall be posted in a conspicuous place or kept on file in his/her office. Those
Previously registered in accordance to PD 1286 shall retain their registration certification
numbers,

ARTICLE Vil
NUTRITION AND DIETETICS HUMAN RESOURCE PRODUCTION,
UTILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT

See. 36 . Studies for Nutrition and Dietetics Manpower Needs, Production, Utilization
and Development — The Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization
and appropriate government or private agencies shall initiate, undertake and conduet studies
‘on nutrition and dictetics human resource production, utilization and development.

See. 37. Comprehensive Nutrition and Dietetics Specialty Program ~ Within nivety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board, in coordination with the accredited
professional orgunization, recognized specialty organizations and the Department of Health is
bereby mandated to formulate and develop @ comprehensive nutrition and dietetics specialty
Program that would upgrade the level of skills and competence of mutritionist-dietitians
Specialists in the country, such as but not limited to the areas of diabetes management,



cardiovascular disease management, renal disease management, oncology, nutrition support,
weight management, obstetrics, Pediatrics, geriatrics, dental medicine, and such other areas
as may be determined by the Board.

ARTICLE VOI
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 38. Penal Provision. - Any person wha shall commit any of the following acts,
shall, upon conviction, be fined based on existing laws of no more than Php 100,000.00 not
more than Php 500,000.00, or imprisoned for no less than six (6) months nor more than two.
(2) years or be meted with both at the discretion of the court.

(@) Practicing nutrition and dietetics without a valid certificate of
registration and/or a valid professional identification card or a valid
‘emporary/special permit;

(>) Attempting to use the seal, certificate of registration and/or
professional identification card of a RND or temporary/special permit
issued to foreign nutritionist-dietitian;

(©) Abetting the illegal practice of mutrition and dietetics by an
unregistered or unauthorized person;

(& Securing through false information or fraudulent means certificate of
registration and/or professional identification card or, temporary
special permit;

(2 Impersonating a RND or a holder of a speciaVtemporary permit; and

() Violating any provision of this Act or the implementing rules and
regulations thereof .

ARTICLE IX
FINAL PROVISIONS

‘Sec. 39. Enforcement. - In catrying out the provisions of this Act, the Board shall be
assisted by the Commission, the APO, duly constituted government agencies and authorities,
and private organizations in the industry. A memorandum of agreement between agencies oF
organizations may be executed,

‘Sec. 40. Funds. - The funds or budget for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the Annual Appropriations Act for the Commission, provided that the amount
incurred for its initial implementation shall be charged against the Commission's current
year’s appropriation.

Sec 41 . Transitory Provisions, - The incumbent Board shall, in an interim capacity,
continue to operate or function by carrying out the provisions of the Act without new
appointments of the chairman and members thereof uatil the first Board created under thie
Act shall have been constituted or. ‘Organized pursuant thereto.

Sec. 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Board of Nutrition and Dietetics,
subject to approval by the Commission, shall prescribe, promulgate, and issue # Board
Resolution on the implementing rules and regulations of this Act after consultation with the


APO, other agencies, and private organizations concemed in the industry within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 43. Separability Clause, — If any provision, section, or part of this Act shall be
Acclared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair any
other provisions, sections or parts hereof, but shall be merely confined to the provision,
section, or part thereof that is directly involved in the issue upon which such judgment has
been rendered.

See. 44, Repealing Clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1286 is hereby repealed. Laws,
decrees, orders, letters of instructions, rules and regulations, or other issuances, and parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are likewise accordingly repealed or
modified.

See. 45 Hfectviy. ~ This Act shall take effect after fieen (35) day (allxpiqus be

general circulation in the Philippines.