TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
lOfficp of tl)f ‘h’'. nrp
25 AUG 14 P2 -49
RECEIVED eV:
SENATE
S. No. 119 2
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL NUTRITION PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT", APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, under Article II, Section 15, provides that "the State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and Instill health consciousness among them." 
Furthermore, Article XV, Section 3(2), affirms the duty of the State to defend the right of the 
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."
Republic Act No. 11037 or the "Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act" 
was enacted in 2018 to institutionalize a national feeding program for undernourished children 
in public day care centers, kindergarten, and elementary schools.
However, recent data and field experience highlight the need for a broader, more 
inclusive, and more responsive national nutrition program that addresses the evolving health 
and nutritional needs of Filipino children, particularly during early childhood and adolescence.
This bill renames the National Feeding Program to National Nutrition Program and 
extends the same to cover children as young as two (2) years old.


This bill likewise expands the program to universal feeding for all learners from 
Kindergarten to Grade 3, while maintaining targeted feeding for undernourished students from 
Grades 4 to 6.
Moreover, the eligibility is expanded to include secondary beneficiaries such as 
adolescent pregnant learners, children with disabilities, indigenous learners, and other 
marginalized or nutritionally-at-risk groups, subject to the availability of funds.
This bill seeks to enhance inter-agency collaboration among the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health 
(DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Early Childhood Care and Development 
(ECCD) Council.
Also, in line with the goals of the Sagip Saka Act (RA No. 11321), the bill mandates 
direct procurement of locally produced dairy, agricultural, and fishery products to boost rural 
livelihoods and ensure food freshness and availability.
The Micronutrient Supplementation Program is further refined to be needs-based and 
age-appropriate to target specifically vulnerable groups with particular supplements that 
address their particular needs.
By enacting this measure, our country reinforces its commitment to break the 
intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and poverty, while promoting the health, cognitive 
development, and school performance of Filipino children and adolescents. Nutrition is not 
simply a matter of nourishment but that of national development, social justice, and equity. 
An investment in the proper health of our children is an investment in our country's future.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPII
Senator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
©eiiaip
itp of tl)c
25 AUG 14 P2 -49
i\
RECEIVED BV, _
SENATE 
S. No.l 192
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL NUTRITION PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT", 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate/House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 11037 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms 
shall be understood to mean as follows, to wit:
(A) 
ADOLESCENT REFERS TO YOUNG PEOPLE 
FROM THE AGE OF TEN (10) TO NINETEEN (19) 
YEARS, WHO ARE IN TRANSITION FROM 
CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD."
(B) 
Cycle Menu refers to standardized menus prepared 
by the national government agencies (NGAs), in 
coordination with the National Nutrition Council (NNC), 
[and the] Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), 
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUS) FOR DAY 
CARE CENTERS, which shall be contextualized and drawn 
up, among others, according to age range, location and/or 
type of school, and local cultural and/or religions eating 
preferences: Provided, That such menus shall have as


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many varieties and selections as may necessary taking into 
account its availability in the place or locality where the 
day care center or school is located;
(C) 
EARL Y CHILDHOOD REFERS TO TH E PE RIOD 
FROM BIRTH TO THE AGE OF EIGHT (8), 
REPRESENTING A CONNECTED AND PROGRESSIVE 
SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT;
(D) 
Fortified Meal refers to a HOT meal with 
deliberately increased content of essential micronutrients 
so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food and 
provide the level of calories and protein as prescribed by 
the NNC which shall consist of at least one-third (1/3) of 
the daily requirement based on the Philippine Dietary 
Reference Intake (PDRI) OR NUTRITIOUS FOOD 
PRODUCTS (NFP) DEVELOPED BY FNRI;
(E) 
Health Examination, xxx
(F) MILK-BASED SUBSTITUTE REFERS TO A PRODUCT 
THAT HAS UNDERGONE PROCESSING TO EXTEND 
SHELF LIFE, WHILE RETAINING THE ESSENTIAL 
NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF MILK. THESE 
INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, STERILIZED MILK AND 
POWDERED MILK.
(G) 
National Government Agencies, xxx
(H) 
Undernourished Child refers to a child who has been 
supplied with less than the minimum amount of [foods] 
FOOD essential for sound health and growth. For 
purposes of this Act, it shall include children who are 
suffering from chronic hunger and malnutrition as well as 
those who are considered as wasted, severely wasted, or 
stunted under the World Health Organization Child 
Growth;


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Sec. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11037 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 4. National [Feeding] NUTRITION Program. - The National 
[Feeding] NUTRITION Program, hereinafter referred to as the 
Program, is hereby established to address undernutrition among 
Filipino children.
The program shall have the following components and coverage: 
(a) Supplemental Feeding Program for [Bay Care Children] 
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE. - The DSWD, in 
coordination with the LGUs concerned, shall implement a 
supplemental feeding program for undernourished 
children with ages [three (3)] TWO (2) to five (5) years. 
The Program shall be administered in day care centers or 
in any other facility which can be used for such purpose: 
Provided, That the Program shall include the provision of 
at least one (1) fortified meal for a period of one hundred 
[twenty (120)] SIXTY (160) days in a year: Provided, 
further, That in the preparation of fortified meals, the 
DSWD shall work in collaboration with recognized parents' 
organization.
THE DSWD, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE 
NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL (NNC) AND THE 
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
(ECCD) COUNCIL, SHALL STRENGTHEN THE CHILD 
DEVELOPMENT AND THE HEALTH AND NUTRITION 
COMPONENTS OF THE PARENT EFFECTIVENESS 
SERVICE PROGRAM, ESPECIALLY FOR THE 
FAMILIES OF THE TARGET BENEFICIARIES.
THE DSWD SHALL COLLABORATE CLOSELY 
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) AND 
THE LGUS IN PROVIDING HEALTH AND NUTRITION 
SERVICES TO UNDERNOURISHED CHILDREN


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(b)
BELOW TWO (2) YEARS OF AGE. THE ECCD 
COUNCIL SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE IN ENSURING DEVELOPMENTALLY 
APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS ARE INTEGRATED 
WITH NUTRITION SERVICES.
School-Based Feeding Program. - The DepEd shall 
ESTABLISH AND implement a [s]School-[b]Based 
[f]Feeding [p]Program WHICH SHALL COVER: [fer 
undernourished publie-school children from kindergarten
to grade six (6):] (1) UNIVERSAL FEEDING FOR ALL 
LEARNERS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 3f 
REGARDLESS OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS; AND (2) 
TARGETED FEEDING FOR ALL UNDERNOURISHED 
LEARNERS FROM GRADES 4 TO 6: Provided, That the 
Program shall include the provision of least one (1) 
fortified meal to [all undcrneunshed] THE COVERED 
public elementary school children for a period of not less 
than one hundred [twenty (120)] SIXTY (160) days in a 
year[t}: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT SUBJECT TO 
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, SECONDARY 
BENEFICIARIES WHICH INCLUDE CURRENTLY 
ENROLLED 
NUTRITIONALLY-AT-RISK
ADOLESCENT PREGNANT MOTHERS IN PUBLIC 
HIGH SCHOOLS, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, 
OTHER MARGINALIZED OR VULNERABLE GROUPS 
INCLUDING INDIGENOUS LEARNERS AS DEFINED 
UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11510, LEARNERS 
PARTICIPATING IN REMEDIAL, INTERVENTION 
AND SUPPLEMENTARY LEARNING PROGRAMS, 
AND UNDERNOURISHED STUDENTS IN 
SECONDARY EDUCATION ENROLLED IN PUBLIC


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SCHOOLS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY BE COVERED 
UNDER THE SCHOOL-BASED FEEDING PROGRAM, 
(c) [Milk Fooding Program] SUPPLEMENTARY MILK 
PROGRAM. — [The NGAs shall coordinate with][t]The 
Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Dairy 
Authority, the Philippine Carabao Center and the 
Cooperative Development Authority, IN 
COORDINATION WITH THE DEPED AND DSWD, 
SHALL IMPLEMENT A SUPPLEMENTARY MILK 
PROGRAM WHICH WILL INCORPORATE, [for- the 
Incorporation of] fresh milk, [and] fresh milk-based food 
products, OR MILK-BASED SUBSTITUTES in the 
[fertlfied meals and] cycle menu in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 8172, otherwise known as the "Philippine 
Food Fortification Act of 2000,". [utilizing as far as 
practicable, locally produced milk in order to enhance its
nutritional content and, at the same time, help boost
livelihood opportunities for local dairy farmers and the local
dairy- industry;] IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE 
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
SUPPLEMENTARY MILK PROGRAM, THE DA SHALL 
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROCUREMENT, 
PAYMENT, AND DELIVERY OF THE MILK SUPPLY; 
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NOTHING IN THIS 
ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO SUPERSEDE OR 
REPEAL R.A. NO. 7600, OR THE ROOMING IN AND 
BREASTFEEDING ACT OF 1992, R.A. NO. 10028, OR 
THE EXPANDED BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION ACT 
OF 2009, E.O. NO. 51, OR THE NATIONAL CODE OF 
MARKETING OF BREASTMILK SUBSTITUTES, 
BREASTMILK SUPPLEMENTS AND OTHER RELATED 
PRODUCTS ANY OTHER LAWS REGULATING THE


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USE AND PROMOTION OF ARTIFICIAL MILK AND 
BREASTMILK SUBSITUTE;
(d) 
Micronutrient [Supplements] SUPPLEMENTATION 
PROGRAM. - [The NGAs, in coordination with] IN
COORDINATION WITH THE DSWD AND DEPED, the 
D0H[7] shall provide AGE-APPROPRIATE AND NEEDS- 
BASED micronutrient supplements to the Program 
beneficiaries, AND IMPLEMENT [including] the use of 
iodized salt in accordance with Republic Act No. 8172, 
otherwise known as the "Salt lodization or ASIN" law; 
PROVIDED, THAT SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF 
FUNDS, THE DEPED SHALL ADMINISTER WEEKLY 
IRON AND FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION TO 
FEMALE ADOLESCENTS, INCLUDING ELIGIBLE 
FEMALE LEARNERS IN THE ALTERNATIVE 
LEARNING SYSTEM, PRIORITIZING AREAS WITH 
HIGH PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AMONG INFANTS 
AND YOUNG CHILDREN: PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
THAT THE NNC AND DOST-FNRI SHALL 
COORDINATE CLOSELY WITH THE DEPED IN 
IDENTIFYING AREAS WITH HIGH PREVALENCE OF 
ANEMIA FOR EFFECTIVE PROGRAM 
IMPLEMENTATION.
(e) 
xxx;
(f) 
xxx;
(g) 
xxx; [and]
(h) 
xxx; and
(i) 
CENTRAL KITCHEN IN EVERY SCHOOLS DIVISION 
OFFICE. - THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED A 
CENTRAL KITCHEN IN EVERY SCHOOLS DIVISION 
OFFICE, WHICH SHALL BE OPERATED, 
MAINTAINED, AND SUPERVISED BY THE DEPED,


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WHICH SHALL PREPARE AND FACILITATE 
DISTRIBUTION OF FORTIFIED MEALS TO 
BENEFICIARIES WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE 
DIVISIONS."
Sec. 3. A new Section 5 is hereby inserted and subsequent Sections shall be 
renumbered accordingly. The new Section 5 shall read as follows:
"SEC. 5. DIRECT PURCHASE FROM FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK. - IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL 
NUTRITION PROGRAM AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 4 OF 
THIS ACT, DEPED, DSWD AND DA, AS THE CASE MAY BE, MAY 
DIRECTLY PROCURE OR PURCHASE LOCALLY-PRODUCED 
DAIRY, AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERY PRODUCTS DIRECTLY 
FROM ACCREDITED FARMERS, FISHERFOLK, AND THEIR 
COOPERATIVES OR ASSOCIATIONS, AS DEFINED UNDER 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11321, OR THE "SAGIP SAKA ACT", 
SUBJECT TO GUIDELINES ISSUED BY RELEVANT NATIONAL 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES."
Sec. 4. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 11037 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 8. Private Sector Participation. - The NGAs shall encourage the 
participation of the private sector in the Program which shall include, 
among others, PTAs, private corporations, peoples and 
nongovernment organizations and such other groups or 
organizations, both foreign and local, that may want to be partner in 
whole or in part with the implementation of the Program: 
PROVIDED, THAT, ALL PARTNERSHIPS SHALL ADHERE TO 
EXISTING GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE


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PARTNERSHIPS, AND OTHER APPLICABLE RULES AND 
REGULATIONS."
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred eighty 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, DepEd and DA shall promulgate 
the implementing rules and regulations necessary to ensure the efficient and effective 
implementation of this Act: Provided, That the failure of the relevant agencies to 
promulgate the said IRR shall not prevent or delay the effectivity and implementation 
of this Act.
Sec. 6. Transitory Provision. - Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this 
Act the DSWD, DEPED, and the DA shall each update their respective and existing 
policies, rules, and regulations in light of and relevant to this Act.
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,