THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
s. kd: 
.
i
 
\c 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2001, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST) conducted a survey covering 12,425 children 
aged 0 - 10 years of age, with groupings of pre-school age children (0 - 5) and 
school age children (6 - 10). There were 10,364 pre-school children and 1,791 
school age children included in the survey. 
The survey revealed that among pre-school children, underweight 
prevalence was 30.6%, under-height 31.4%, and prevalence of thinness was 
6.3%, while a higher proportion for underweight children which was estimated at 
32.9%, 41 .lob for under-height, and 6.5% for thinness for school age children. 
Indeed, malnutrition remains as one of the major problems of the country 
It continues to jeopardize the growth and mental development potentials 
today. 
as well as the very survival of millions of Filipino children. 
Thus, it becomes imperative that the National Nutrition Program be 
strengthened to address the problem of malnutrition and effectively guide every 
Filipino towards a healthy lifestyle and improved quality of life. 
In view of the above, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
.- 
&- 
SERGIO OSMENA Ill 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
~ 
1x 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL NUTRITION PROGRAM, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSE§ 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. 
Title. -. This Act shall be known as the "Accelerate 
2 
3 
4 
Nutrition Improvement (ANI) Act of 2004." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State 
to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and 
5 
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies 
6 
7 
that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard 
of living and an improved quality of life for all; to defend and promote the right of 
8 
children to assistance including proper care and nutrition and special protection 
9 
from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions 
10 
prejudicial to their development. 
11 
In line with the above, the State further declares its determination to 
12 
eliminate hunger and reduce all forms of malnutrition are acceptable in a world 
13 
that has both the knowledge and resources to end this human catastrophe. 
14 
The State maintains that nutrition is both an end-goal and a means to 
15 
achieve development. It is a multi-factorial concern requiring inputs from all 
1 


4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
sectors. 
As such, nutrition shall be a priority of the government to be 
implemented by all its branches in collaboration with non-government 
organizations and the private sector, the business sector and people’s 
organization, in an integrated manner with focus to nutritionally and economically 
depressed areas, communities and households. 
Section 3. 
Objectives. - The ANI Act of 1998 aims to improve the 
nutritional status of the country and its citizenry. In order to achieve improved 
nutrition, it aims to: 
a) Strengthen the National Nutrition Council (NCC) as the highest policy- 
making and coordinating body on nutrition to ensure coherence of 
nutrition programs of national government agencies, local government 
units and non-government organizations with the national nutritional 
plan; 
b) Provide a policy environment conducive to nutrition improvement in 
both social and economic development sectors; 
c) Provide mechanisms, strategies and approaches in implementing 
programs and projects to improve nutritional status and to eradicate 
hunger and malnutrition; as well as prescribe standards and criteria for 
efficient and effective intervention to maximize the impact for the 
nutritionally-at-risk; and 
d) Ensure participation and cooperation on the NNC member agencies, 
other national government agencies (NGAs) or instrumentalities, local 
government units (LGUs), non government organizations (NGOs), and 
the academe in an integrated manner for the promotion of the 
nutritional well-being of the population. 
Section 4. Definition Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms 
shall mean: 
2 


7 
8 
9 
10 
1 1  
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
a) NNC - the existing National Nutritional Council as created by 
Presidential Decree No. 491 as amended by Executive Order No. 234 
and Administrative Order No. 88. 
b) BlDANl - Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition 
Improvement of the rural poor (BIDANI) is a strategy and network 
program for nutrition improvement utilizing a systematic and holistic 
approach to development planning with active involvement of all 
sectors at different levels of activities. It is spearheaded by a network 
of state universities and colleges (SUCs) utilizing multi-disciplinary and 
technical human resources, which are non-political and which 
guarantee continuity. It strengthens direct nutrition interventions as a 
shared responsibility between the community and service providers to 
prevent malnutrition and to rehabilitate malnourished children. 
c) Household food security - access by all people at all times to 
nutritionally adequate and safe food needed for an active and healthy 
life. 
d) Local chief executive - the highest elective position in a local 
government unit. More specifically, it refers to the governor, city and 
municipal mayors and barangay captain. 
e) Local nutrition plan - the medium term and annual integrated 
nutritional plan formulated by the LGU to address its nutritional 
problems, which is integral to the local development plan. It is based 
on the particular needs and situation of the LGU, but adheres to the 
general principles and directions set in the national nutritional plan. 
f) National nutrition plan - the medium-term and annual integrated 
nutrition plan formulated by the National Nutrition Council. It sets goals 
and directions for the formulation and implementation of programs and 
projects by relevant government instrumentalities, LGUs, NGOs, 
including business corporations and community-based organizations, 


1 
2 
4 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
the academe and international community. 
It is also an integral 
component of the Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan 
(MTPDP). 
As such, the national nutritional plan adheres to 
development efforts enunciated in the MTPDP. 
g) Non-government 
Organization 
(NGO) - 
private, 
non-profit 
organizations that are committed to the task of socioeconomic 
development and established primarily for service. 
h) Nutritionally depressed areas - barangays, cities, municipalities, or 
provinces which, based on nutrition and one or more socioeconomic 
indicators, are nutritionally more disadvantaged when compared to 
other areas of the country. 
Section 5. The National Nutrition Council. - The National Nutrition Council 
(NNC) composed of a governing board and a secretariat, is the highest policy- 
making body on nutrition. It shall formulate the medium-term and annual nutrition 
plan, and coordinate its implementation. It shall provide over-all directions for the 
nutrition plans and programs and coordinate with all other agencies which 
contribute resources and expertise for nutrition development. It shall meet at 
least two (2) times a year, without prejudice to holding of more frequent meetings 
as may be needed. 
In order to increase its efficiency and effectiveness, the composition of 
the NCC governing board is hereby expanded: 
a) The governing board - The governing shall be composed of 
secretaries or head of the following agencies: 
I. Department of Agriculture - who is hereby designated as 
chairman; 
2. Department of Health -who shall be the vice-chairman; 
3. Department of Social Welfare and Development - Member; 
4. Department of Education, Culture and Sports - Member; 
5. Department of Interior and Local Government - Member; 
4 


7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
6. Department of Science and Technology - Member; 
7. Department of Budget and Management - Member; 
8. department of Labor and Employment - Member; 
9. Department of Agrarian Reform - Member; 
10. Department of Trade and Industry - Member; 
I I. 
National Economic and Development Authority - Member; 
12. Commission on Higher Education - Member; and 
13.Three (3) representatives from the private sector to be 
appointed by the President. 
The Board shall create a permanent technical committee and ad hoc 
committees of experts as it may deem necessary, to act as the Council’s 
advisory body on policy and program matters. The members of the technical 
committee shall also facilitate intra and intra-agency and sectoral coordination of 
efforts for nutrition improvement. 
The chairperson and the members of the board and technical committee 
and committees of experts shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to 
honoraria and other emoluments as may be fixed by the Board for every meeting 
actually attended, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. 
b) The secretariat shall serve as the executive arm of the governing 
board. It shall be headed by an executive director, assisted by two (2) 
deputy executive directors, all of whom shall be appointed by the 
President. 
Section 6. Functions and Powers. - The Council shall have the following 
functions and powers: 
a) Formulate national nutrition policies, plans, strategies and approaches 
for nutritional improvement; 
b) Formulate standard and criteria for efficient and effective interventions 
to maximize impact for the nutritionally at-risk populations; 
5 


1 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
c) Educate the public on nutrition and its importance to individual, 
community, and national development; 
d) Oversee and serve as local point in the coordinated implementation of 
policies and programs of all member and government instrumentalities 
as well as other concerned non-government organizations charged 
with the execution of existing laws, policies, rules and regulations 
concerning nutrition; 
e) Coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and projects of both public 
and private sectors as well as LGUs in order to ensure integration of 
nutrition with national' policies; 
f) Generate resources either by direct solicitation or by fund raising 
activities from various entities, agencies, and the general public; acting 
as trustee of funds generated to support nutrition program and 
projects; 
g) Call upon any government agency and instrumentality comprising the 
pillars of the executive and legislative systems for such assistance as 
may be required to implement the provisions of this Act in order to 
reduce and eventually eliminate malnutrition in the country; and 
h) Do such act, adopt such measures, enter into such arrangements to 
issue such rules and regulations as may be proper for the integration, 
systematization, administration and implementation of all nutrition 
programs. 
Section 7. Role of NNC Member-Agencies, other National Government 
Agencies and Local Government Units, the Academe, and Non-government 
Organizations in the ANI Act. - The NNC member agencies shall ensure the 
successful 
implementation of 
programs and projects, development of 
promotional, preventive and curative nutrition programs, and integration of 
nutrition concerns in their respective policies and plans. They shall provide 
additional resources in any form in support of the local nutrition plan as a 
6 


1 
continuing involvement of the national government to local plans and programs. 
2 
They shall likewise submit to the NNC governing board through the NNC 
3 
secretariat yearly accomplishment reports of nutrition and nutrition related 
4 
activities for the assessment and evaluation of the government delivery system 
5 
on nutrition. 
6 
Other national government agencies shall serve as an important link in 
7 
promoting nutrition in development through participation in the continuing 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
. 
14 
1s 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
advocacy for nutrition improvement, and integration of nutrition consideration in 
their sectoral plans and programs. 
The local government units (LGUs), pursuant to the Local Government 
Code of 1991, shall provide and deliver basic nutrition services and facilities to 
the community. As such, they shall formulate, implement, manage, monitor and 
evaluate medium-term and annual local nutrition plans. The LGUs shall organize 
inter-agency local nutrition committees which shall be chaired by the local chief 
executive either as a committee of the local development council (LDC) or as a 
subcommittee of a committee of the LDC. LGUs shall integrate nutrition 
considerations in their short, medium and long-term development plans and 
programs and shall coordinate with the NNC in the enforcement of the Act. 
LGUs shall recruit, train and deploy nutritionist-dietitians in every municipality, 
city, and province; and recruit, train and deploy barangay nutrition scholars in 
every barangay in support of the local nutrition plan. LGUs shall also submit to 
the NNC annual reports of accomplishments of their respective nutrition plans. 
State universities and colleges (SUC) and DECS - supervised schools 
and colleges shall intensify nutrition-related training, research and extension 
support activities through the BIDANA network program and other relevant 
approaches, thereby accelerating community development in partnership with the 
LGUs. They shall likewise coordinate with their respective LGUs in connection 
with nutrition and related initiatives. They shall also submit to their respective 
LGUs quarterly reports of accomplishments on nutrition and related concerns. 
7 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
1 1  
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
Section 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s 
appropriations of the National Nutrition Council. Thereafter, such amount as may 
be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriation Act. 
Section 9. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NNC in 
cooperation with the agencies concerned, shall formulate the necessary rules 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days 
from its approval. 
Section IO. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the 
application of such provision to any instrumentalities or entities or circumstances 
is held invalid or unconstitutional for any reason the remainder, or this Act or the 
application of such other provisions shall not be affected and shall remain in 
force and in effect, 
Section 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws and part of laws, decrees, 
orders, proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations which are inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
Section 12. 
Saving Clause. - Powers, functions and rights already 
acquired and existing at the time of the passage of this Act shall not in any way 
be abridged, modified nor abated, unless repealed, amended or modified under 
the preceding section. 
Section 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
8