HOUSE OF- REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

DATES. 9. 2046

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ) .
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) TINE _ Yor
First Regular Session ) BY: /
REGISTRATION UNIT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES "AND INDEX SERVICE

House Bill No._667

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines faces a "serious" level of hunger in 2015, according to the latest Global
Hunger Index (GHI). The measuring tool of the International Food Policy Research Institute
(FPRI) gave the country a score of 20.1 based on available data collated by government agencies and
‘non-governmental organizations. Although it is two points lower than in 2005, the Philippines’ score
is still 6.8 points higher than the East and Southeast Asia average of 13.2 points.

Malnutrition hampers the physical growth of a child and affects his mental health,
productivity and prospects for employment. In fact, according to a report by Save the Children, the
shortness of Filipino adults is attributed to generations of stunted growth. Results from the National
Nutrition Survey spanning two decades show no significant change in the incidence of stunting in
the country ~ from 1993's 39% to 2013's 30%. The Philippines is also part of the 14 countries which
is home to 80% of the world's stunted children.

The problem of malnutrition, therefore, calls for a more lasting solution. It requires an
integrated development approach complementing traditional nutzition intervention. The Barangay
Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDAND) is one such approach.

BIDANI will be an active research program to be spearheaded by participating state colleges
and universities as a regular program addressing the nutritional and general-well-being of the poor.
Te will encourage every family and community to maintain children’s normal growth, through proper
dict and regular growth monitoring.

This bill seeks to establish the BIDANI network program. This will place nutrition at the
forefront of learning and integrate modem principles of medicine in national nutrition. BIDANT
shall serve as a government 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.

ae

VICTOR
Representative, 2" District of Tarlac


eCarvrauerune

10
1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No._667

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BARANGAY INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
FOR NUTRITION IMPROVEMENT (BIDANI) OF THE RURAL POOR AS A
NETWORK PROGRAM OF THE PARTICIPATING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES 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 (BIDANI) Act’

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize
nutrition as a basic human right. Towards this end, the State shall promote vigorously the
importance of nutrition as a public good and a public concern that can be achieved satisfactorily
through a multi-sectoral support. 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:

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

(&) To evolve among state universities and colleges (SUCs) 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

(© To 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 BIDANI Program is hereby established as a nutrition-in-

development research program involving SUCs which aims to assist the national government in
improving the nutrition and general well-being of the poor.

It is a comprehensive model for countryside development programs which makes nutrition
as an entry point, ultimate goal and objective, indicator and measure of development. It attempts to
attack malnutrition at its root cause, which is linked to poverty, insufficiency of food, social

deprivation and underdevelopment.


Car aunewone

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
2
23
24
3
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

Its one of the enabling mechanisms in the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action
for Nutrition (PPAN) and an indispensable growth strategy of the National Nutrition Council
(NNO).

SEC. 5. BIDANI 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 aims to:

(@) Develop competent SUCs which shall assist in achieving the nutrition-in-development
objectives of the NNC. These SUCs shall capacitate its core team members to ensure that in-
planning nutrition shall be integrated in all areas/sectors of local governance. To realize this goal,
continuous training of trainers on the BIDANI strategy and on the different BIDANI innovative
strategies for all BIDANI stakeholders at different levels shall be conducted by the NNC; and

(©) Ensure the inclusion of best nutrition practices of successful LGUs through the
participation of local nutrition management teams. Partner SUCs, through the BIDANI, shall build
the capabilities of the Citizenry for self-help and self reliance, catalyze action through the
involvement of various stakeholders, complement with the efforts of government organizations
(GOs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), private organizations (POs) and private sectors, and
link the community with existing resources.

SEC. 6. BIDANI Structural/Organizational Linkages. - The BIDANI partners and
stakeholders shall work at different levels, as follows:

s). - Partnership with SUCs shall be formalized and

(@) State Universities and Colleges (SU
operationalized through an execution of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the
University of the Philippines - Los Banos represented by its Chancellor, and the President of the
concerned SUCs. Upon approval of the MOA, the BIDANI Program shall be operationalized
under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension (OVPRE) of the partner SUC. A
BIDANI SUC will then choose their partner LGUs.

(®) City/Municipal Local Government Units. - The implementation of the BIDANI as a
development strategy in the LGUs will commence upon the approval by the city or municipality of
the nutrition plans formulated by the SUC concerned through a MOA or city/municipal resolutions.
A city/municipal organizational machinery called the City/Municipal Technical Action Committee
(CIMTAO), composed of the heads and representatives of different city/municipal line agencies
who shall be responsible for the implementation. monitoring, evaluation and replication of the
BIDANI strategy in the locality shall be created.

(© Barangay Units. - ‘The realization of the BIDANI as a development strategy shall be
accomplished at the barangay level. The Barangay Development Council (BDC) shall be enhanced
through an expanded BDC membership called Program Planning and Implementation Committee
which shall include representatives from the sangguniang barangay, BDC, purok and other
community leaders who shall be trained on the BIDANI strategy to ensure that the processes for
planning and management of development programs, projects and activities will be participative and

responsive to the needs of the members of the barangay.


Cav anuesune

10
1
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

(@ Other Stakeholders. - ‘The participation and inputs of NGOs, other government
agencies and offices, and POs shall be sought to contribute to the realization of the plans
formulated and agreed upon by the members of the barangay.

SEC. 7. BIDANI Innovative Strategies. - To facilitate the local implementation of the
BIDANI, the program shall work on the following innovative strategies:

(a) Barangay Integrated Development Plan (BIDP). - Upon approval of this Act the BIDP
shall include the barangays! plans and programs relative to nutrition, which plans shall be integrated
into the municipal development plan;

(®) Barangay Management Information System (BMIS). - In the conduct of its research
activities, the concerned SUC shall develop a people-based information system which focuses on the
identification of the needs of the barangay through an efficient and effective data collection needed
for program planning, management and implementation of various projects and activities at the
barangays; and

(© Participative Nutrition Enhancement Approach (PNEA). - The NNC and participating
SUGs shall utilize the life cycle approach in the formulation of food production policies and
programs and promote market-driven livelihood activities among households in order to prevent
malnutrition among pre-school children and nutzitionally-at-risk families,

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - Within the period of sixty (60) days, the
NNG, in coordination with the participating SUCs, shall prepare and issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act,

SEC. 9. Funding. - The amount necessary for the implementation of the BIDANI network
program shall be included in the budget of participating SUCs in the annual General Appropriations
Act. Participating SUCs 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,

SEC. 10, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and
other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

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

Approved.