Repuviic of we Paiippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

yo “608

HOUSE BILL No.

Malnutrition is a universal problem in almost all the countries in the world. The
problem of malnutrition stems from other sources as well such as poverty. In the
Philippines, mainutrition is also one of the toughest problems to solve. Prior to the
pandemic, malnutrition was already a prevalent problem in our country but the
outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic made the probiem much worse.

In 2022, or two years into the pandemic, around 3.1 million Filipino families or
12.2 percent of the population experienced hunger in the first three months of the year.
Of the 12.2 percent, 9.3 percent or 2.4 million families experienced moderate hunger
and 2.9 percent or around 744,000 families experienced severe hunger. The World
Bank associated poverty as one of the basic reasons for health deficiency’.

Further, according to UNICEF, everyday 95 children in the Philippines die from
malnutrition, 27 out of 1,000 Filipino children do not reach their fifth birthday and that
a third of Filipino children are stunted or short for their age because of malnutrition.

Ihe 19%/ Consttution® states that, that the State shali defend the nght of
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.

vit De
ine chiigren ang one o7 tne basic necessiies inal every chia Needs 1s proper nuuivion

* Duterte’s last loan. $178M from WB. eves 2022 taraets vs stunting at

hitps://newsinfo. inquirer. ne/1610270/dutertes-last-loan-178m-from-wb-eyes-2022-targets-vs-stunting
flast accessed Seotember 7. 20721.

2 Childs at https:/www_unicef.org/philippines/child-
survivallf:~:text=Every%20day %2C%2095% 20children%20in,permanent%2C%2Uireversible%20and
%20even%20fatal (last accessed September 7, 2022)

2 Sarton % Article XV 4197 Constitution



from a healthy and sufficient amount of food. If a child is healthy, well fed, well focused,
and as a result, the quality of education that they are receiving will improve.

This bill aims to mitigate the issue of mainutrition. Through this bill, it seeks to
give aid and support not only to the children but as well as their families. Given the
situation and the rising issue of malnutrition, the immediate approval of this is
necessary.

ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR.
Assistant Majority Floor Leader
Congressman
First Congressional District of Manila


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Repubiic of ihe Piilippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4688

Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DiONiSIO, JR.

IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037 OR THE
“"MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT"

Ba it onactod by the Sonate and House of Representative of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Amendment. - Section 4 (b) Republic Act No. 11037 otherwise
known as the "Masustansvana Paakain Para sa Batana Pilipino Act" is hereby
amended to read as follows:

“SECTION. 4 (b). School-Based Feeding Program. - The DepEd shall
implement a school-based feeding program for undernourished public
school [children] LEARNERS from kindergarten to grade [six (6)]
TWELVE (12): Provided, That the Program shall include the provision
of at least one (1) fortified mea! to all undernourished pubic
KINDERGARTEN, elementary, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND
SENIOR HIGH school [children] LEARNERS for a period of not less
than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year."

SEC

pi j Ruies and Reguiations. - Wi

inety (80) days

irom ine ellecuvity OF inis Act, he Vepariment of Eoucauon (Vepea), in consunauon
with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) the Food and Nutrition Research institute
(FNRI), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and concerned LGUs, and such

GevSlSpinG Parwers Shan prowmigars Uiew respective fulss

efficient and effective implementation of this Act.


SECTION 3. Separability Cause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repeating Cause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, other
issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effe

following its pubiicatior
circuiaiion.

- This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
jai Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of generai