Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 666

__ Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BARANGAY INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
FOR NUTRITION IMPROVEMENT OF THE RURAL POOR AS A LINKAGE
PROGRAM OF PARTICIPATING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND
LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Malnutrition has been a persistent problem in the country. It is prevalent in
depressed barangays and municipalities in the rural areas and the countryside, which
reveal widespread poverty in the country.

The Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research
Institute conducted the Rapid Nutrition Assessment Survey (RNAS) in 2020, which
reported that loss of weight among children was observed with two (2) in every ten
(10) children, with a higher proportion among children from severely food insecure
households.

The 2020 RNAS revealed that at the time of the survey infants and pre-school
children were highly affected by the disruption of nutrition services and delivery of
nutrition interventions. Results have shown that the number of children who
received nutrition services such as OPT plus, deworming, supplementary feeding, and
vitamin A supplements significantly decreased.

Children who were able to participate in OPT plus went down from 83% in
2019 to 51% in 2020 due to lockdowns and limited movement of health care workers.
‘The number of children who received dietary supplementation such as family food
packs, cooked foods, and dry rations also decreased from 21.6% in 2020 to 11.9 in
2021, with a mean duration of only twelve (12) days.

Most children who did not receive supplementary feeding were in high-risk
areas. Vitamin A supplementation also decreased from 65.4% in 2020 to 35.3% in
2021. Also, aside from children, older adults were highly affected by malnutrition.

In line with its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, the
government secks to combat malnutrition as the country struggles to reduce health
problems of micronutrient and protein-energy malnutrition including vitamin A
deficiency disorders (VADO), iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iodine deficiency
disorders (IDO), the latter being considered one of the developing countries’ most


debilitating and intractable public health problems affecting nearly two billion
people, majority of whom are children.

The problem of malnutrition hampers the physical growth of a child and affects
his or her mental health, productivity and later on prospect for employment. The
problem calls for a more lasting solution in the form of an integrated development
approach that complements traditional nutrition intervention such as the Barangay
Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement or BIDANI.

It is a comprehensive nutrition-in-development strategy emphasizing the need
to mainstream the improvement of the nutrition of Filipinos towards achieving rural
development.

BIDANI traces its roots in the Nutrition Improvement Model (NIM) formulated
in 1978 by the University of the Philippines Los Bafios (UPLB). It was an action
research program funded by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
German World Hunger Assistance Program, National Nutrition Council (NNC), and
the then National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA).

BIDANI was established as a network program composed of various state
colleges and universities (SUCs) across the Philippines. Starting with five SUCs that
were trained to replicate the BIDANI strategy through research and project activities,
the network kickstarted with funding support from the National Nutrition Council
(NNC) and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Development (PCAARRD).

BIDANI serves as the academe’s unique and continuing contribution to
national development. On the side of governance, it enables local leaders and their
people to appropriately intervene directly and indirectly in solving problems
regarding nutrition and development through the Barangay Integrated Development
Approach (BIDA). It also institutionalizes effective and efficient development
program planning and implementation through the Barangay Management
Information System (BMIS). In terms of its nutrition components, BIDANI contributes
to the reduction of malnutrition prevalence in barangays covered by the network
program through the Participative Nutrition Enhancement Approach (PNEA).

This bill seeks to institutionalize the BIDANI network program with the end
view of putting nutrition at the forefront of learning and expose the different
principles of medicines in relation to nutrition. It aims to provide the government a
reliable partner in providing proper nutrition to the people, particularly the poor and
ensure the promotion ofa healthy and productive citizenry.

With the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is fervently sought.

Keith ptfcah Nee D.L. Tan

4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _666

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BARANGAY INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
FOR NUTRITION IMPROVEMENT OF THE RURAL POOR AS A LINKAGE
PROGRAM OF PARTICIPATING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND
LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Integrated
Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI) Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
recognize nutrition as a basic human right that shall be promoted as a public good
and a public concern that can be satisfactorily achieved through multi-sectoral
support and cooperation. To this end, the State shall vigorously work towards the
provision of the nutritional needs of the poor and vulnerable especially in the rural
areas, and give utmost support to programs and projects that are responsive to the
health needs of the Filipino people.

SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives:

a) To encourage the cooperation and participation of academic institutions and
local government units (LGUs) in promoting the nutritional well-being of the people;

b) To develop among state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local
universities and colleges (LUCs) an effective action research and extension network
program that will improve the nutrition and general well-being of the community;
and

c) To enhance the productivity and nutritional well-being of the poor in the
rural areas in order to enhance their health and productivity.

SEC. 4. Establishment of the BIDANI Program. - The BIDANI Program is hereby
established as a nutrition-in-development action research and extension network
program of the participating SUCs/LUCs LUCs which aims to assist the national
government and LGUs in improving the nutritional status and general well-being of
the community.


It is a comprehensive model for building the capacity of LGUs to integrate
nutrition concerns in countryside development programs that supports the
implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) to combat
malnutrition, food and nutrition insecurity, social deprivation, and poverty
alleviation.

SEC. 5. BIDANI Program Goals. - The BIDANI Program shall promote nutrition-
in-development through community and other stakeholders’ participation in an
integrated management system facilitated by SUCs. The Program shall:

a) Induce the participating SUCs/LUCs to assist the government in achieving
the nutrition targets of the PPAN;

b) Engage the participating SUCs/LUCs in the conduct of training and capacity-
building activities for all BIDANI stakeholders on the BIDANI strategies and
innovative practices to ensure that in planning nutrition shall be integrated in all
areas of local governance;

c) Promote the best nutrition-in-development practices of successful LGUs
through the participation of local nutrition committees; and

d) Build partnership among SUCs/LUCs and other stakeholders to support the
citizenry towards self-help and self-reliance; encourage citizen action through the
involvement of various stakeholders; and coordinate with relevant national
government agencies (NGAs), non-government organizations (NGOs), private
organizations (POs) and other private sector groups in linking the community with
existing resources.

SEC. 6, Participation of SUC in the BIDANI Network Program. - The Commission
on Higher Education (CHED) shall require all SUCs to participate in the BIDANI
Network Program: Provided, That they qualify with any of the parameters as follows:

(a) Existing Partnerships with LGUs. SUCs with existing partnerships with
LGUs on the development and implementation of any nutrition-improvement
program;

(b) Operating Capability. SUCs with adequate operating capabilities to
implement and undertake partnerships on nutrition-improvement related projects
such as the BIDANI program; or

(c) Interest to Participate. SUCs who have expressed their willingness to
participate in the BIDANI Network Program.

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned parameters, the CHED shall designate
at least one (1) SUC per administrative region to participate in the BIDANI Network
Program.

Within five (5) years upon the approval of this Act, the CHED shall, in
coordination with the UPLB BIDANI Network, develop a BIDANI Network Roadmap
Plan that shall identify potential participating SUCs in the BIDANI Network Program.
After such period, the CHED shall include at least one (1) SUC per province, if any, and


induce potential SUCs to participate in the BIDANI Network Program, as provided in
the BIDANI Network Roadmap Plan.

SEC. 7. BIDANI Structural/Organizational Linkages - To adopt the BIDANI as a
program, the SUCs/LUCs shall have the manpower capabilities and facilities to
conduct applied research and extension activities. The BIDANI partners and
stakeholders shall work at different levels, as follows:

a) Participating State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities
and Colleges (LUCs) ~ Partnership with participating SUCs/LUCs shall be formalized
through an execution ofa Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the University
of the Philippines Los Bafios (UPLB), being the national coordinator of the BIDANI
Program, represented by its Chancellor, and the President of the participating
SUCs/LUCs.

The BIDANI Program in each participating SUC/LUC shall set up their
respective organizational structure for the implementation of the Program, subject to
the rules and regulations of the SUC/LUC concerned. It shalll also be attached to a unit
that the concerned SUC/LUC deems appropriate. The BIDANI SUC/LUC shall select its
own LGU partners based on the prescribed criteria as stated in the MOA;

b) City or Municipal Local Government Units - The implementation of the
BIDANI as a development strategy shall commence upon the approval by the city or
municipality of the nutrition plans formulated by the SUC/LUC concerned through a
MOA or a city/municipality resolution, whichever comes first. The existing
City/Municipality Nutrition Committee shall be capacitated to implement, monitor,
evaluate and replicate the BIDANI strategy in the locality;

c) Barangay Units - The realization of the BIDANI as a development strategy
shall be accomplished at the barangay level. The barangays implementing the BIDANI
program shall pass a resolution adopting the strategy. The Barangay Development
Council (BDC) and Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) shall be facilitated by the
City/Municipal Nutrition Committee to ensure that the process of planning and
management of nutrition development programs, projects, and activities will be
participatory and responsive to the needs of the community; and

d) Other Stakeholders - The participation and inputs of relevant NGAs, NGOs,
and POs shall be sought in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs, projects and activities of the
barangay.

SEC. 8. BIDANI Innovative Strategies. - To facilitate the local implementation of
the BIDANI, the Program shall be implemented using the following innovative
strategies:

(a) Barangay Integrated Development Approach (BIDA) — The participatory
process of implementing the BIDANI strategy involves organizing, capacity building,
advocacy, mobilization, and collaboration to accelerate local development. Each
barangay shall be mobilized and capacitated to formulate their sectoral plans for the
Barangay Integrated Development Plan (BIDP). All BIDPs shall be integrated into the
City/Municipal development plans.


(b) Barangay Management Information System (BMIS) — In the conduct of its
research activities, the concerned SUC/LUC shall develop a people-based information
system which shall focus on the identification of the needs of the barangay through
efficient and effective data collection. The data shall be the basis for program
planning, management and implementation of various projects and activities in the
barangay; and

(c) Participative Nutrition Enhancement Approach (PNEA) — The National
Nutrition Council (NNC) and participating SUCs/LUCs shall utilize the life cycle
approach in the formulation of food production policies and programs, and promote
market-driven livelihood activities and formulation of Barangay Nutrition Action
Plan (BNAP) to support the PPAN.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the budget of the participating SUCs in the annual General
Appropriations Act. The LGUs concerned may allocate funds for the implementation
of BIDANI program, including the necessary funds for the LUCs.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the UPLB-BIDANI as the National Network Coordinator and the
CHED shall, in coordination with the NNC and representatives from participating
SUCs/LUCs, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provision not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders,
presidential decrees, and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of
this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,