Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 903

Introduced by Honorable Erlinda M. Santiago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the Philippines, underourishment or malnutrition has always been a great
problem. The malnutrition problem is a manifestation of widespread poverty in the
country. Thus, it is prevalent in depressed barangays and municipalities in the rural areas
and the countryside.

Consistent with its commitment to the Millenium Development Goals, the
government seeks to reduce 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.

Malnutrition hampers the physical growth of a child and later affects his mental
health, productivity and prospect for employment. The problem of malnutrition,
therefore, calls for a more lasting solution. It calls for an integrated development
approach that complements traditional nutrition intervention. The Barangay Integrated
Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI) is one such approach,

BIDANI will be an active research program to be spearheaded by the participating
state colleges and universities as a regular program that will address the nutritional and
general well-being of the poor following the National Nutrition Council’s (NNC) theme,
“Pagkain at paglaki ay bantayan, upang ang wastong mutrisyon ay makamtan.” In a
way, it will seek to encourage every family and community to maintain children’s normal
growth, through proper diet and regular growth monitoring, a household habit.

is bill seeks to establish the BIDANI network program. There is a need to put
nutrition at the forefront of learning and expose the different principles of medicines in
relation to nutrition. Once approved, the national government is assured of a partner in
providing proper nutrition to the people. particularly the poor. Likewise, it shall ensure
the promotion of a healthy and productive citizenry.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

INDA M. SANTIAGO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

$03
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Erlinda M. Santiago

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BARANGAY INTEGRATED DEVELOP-
MENT APPROACH FOR NUTRITION IMPROVEMENT (BIDANI)
OF THE RURAL POOR AS A NETWORK PROGRAM OF THE
PARTICIPATING STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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
(BIDAND) Act of 2013.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to recognize nutrition as a basic human right, just as the rights to
health and to life are. Towards this end, the State shall promote vigorously
the importance of nutrition as a public good and public concern that can be
achieved only through multi-sectoral efforts and democratic process. It shall
work towards the provision of the nutritional needs of the poor sector of the
Filipino society who are deprived of said right. Further, the State shall give
utmost support to programs and projects that are responsive to the nutritional
needs of the people.

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

a) Encourage cooperation and participation of academic institutions
and local government units in promoting the nutritional well-being of the

country;


b) Evolve among state colleges and universities an effective action-
research network program that will improve the nutrition and general well-
being of the rural poor, thereby assisting in the development of local
communities; and

c) Enhance the productivity and employability of the rural poor by
improving their nutrition and life status.

SEC. 4. Establishment of the Barangay Integrated Development
Approach for Nutrition Improvement Program. — The Barangay Integrated
Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI) is hereby
established as a nutrition-in-development research program involving state
colleges and universities which aims to assist the national government in
improving the nutrition and general well-being of the poor.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The National
Nutrition Council (NNC), in coordination with the participating state
colleges and universities, shall prepare and issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. Funding and Appropriations. — The amount necessary for
the implementation of the BIDANI network program is hereby annually
appropriated and included in the budget of participating state colleges and
universities in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Participating state colleges and universities may also get funds,
donations and other forms of financial support from foreign and local
persons, institutions and governments for the implementation of the BIDANI
network program. Donations from local donors shall be deductible from
their taxable income.

SEC.

7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with
the provisions this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,