SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF I’HE PHILIPPINES 
)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
)
^ n i. :I 
‘Bdifi of
■16 SEP-8 PI.-56
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO.
HI
r^Y;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EjERCITO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
NATIONAL 
AND 
LOCAL 
HEALTH 
AND 
NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN, 
INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE FIRST 1000 DAYS AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Article 2, of the 1987 Constitution guarantees that " Ihe State shall 
protect and promote the right to healtli of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them."
riiis guarantee should be coupled with proper, sufficient, and efficient 
investment and spending for health support through sei-vices and facilities, the 
government should have its sight and attention in providing more and reaching 
those who can't afford and provide for themselves of these social seivices.
Iwo of the most alarming health issues are malnutrition and maternal 
mortality. According to the World Health Organization, the leading cause of death 
among children five years old and below is malnutrition. Ihe United Nations in 
pushing for its Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 (Good Health and Well Being) 
cited that maternal mortality ratio in developing regions is still 14 times higher than 
in the developed regions, litis is coupled with the findings, that only half of women 
in developing regions receive the recommended amount of health care they need.
file ADB, cited in its report that every year, 9.2 million children in the world 
die before their fifth birthday, as do more than half a million pregnant women. Asia 
and the Pacific account for more than 41% of under-five deaths in the world, more 
than 44% of maternal deaths, and more than 5b% of newborn deaths. About 60% of 
stunted children live in Asia and the Pacific, and two-thirds of babies born with low 
birth weights are from the region.


It is thereft)ro very alarming to know that the Philippines is facing the worst 
chronic malnutrition rate among children aged 0-2 years old at 26.2% in the last H) 
years based on the data from the 2015 Updating of the Nutritional Status of l ilipino 
Chiklren by Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNKI).1
I he first 1,000 days of a child's life —from pregnancy through a child's 2nd 
birthday —is a critical window ot time that sets the stage for a person's intellectual 
development and lifelong health. It is a period of enormous potential, but also of 
enormous vulnerability. ■
Ihe UNlCId noted that Children who gel the right health and nutrition in 
their first 1,000 days are ten times more likely to overcome life-threatening diseases 
and are more likely to have healthier families as adults.
Hiis bill seeks to provide a more strategic and comprehensive approach in 
addressing malnutrition and hunger through the formulation of a Comprehensive 
Anti-Malnutrition Program.
It shall provide a policy environment conducive to nutrition improvement 
and the strengthening of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) as the policy-making 
body on nutrition. Further, it shall ensure the meaningful and active participation, 
partnership ami cooperation of the government and the private sector, in an 
integrated and holistic manner, for the promotion of the nutritional well-being of the 
population
this measure is a dream come true to the disadvantaged sector in the society 
as It shall tocus its direction in reaching and providing tor the Ceographically 
Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GII)A). More importantly, the health program 
embodied in the measure shall focus on pregnant and lactating women as well as the 
health and nutrition of their newborn children from 1 to 1,000 days.
In consideration of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EjERCITO
Imp //WWW savelhechiklieii oru pli/ahoiit-us/mcdia-and-piihlicalions/pie'is-releases/nicdia-rclea'.e- 
mcliive/vcars/20|6/phdippitH's-races-worst-chionic-iiialnmrition-iates-in-l()-veais 
http //WWW linilib org/2014/f)t/IOOO-days-matter/


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUliLIC OF FHE PHILIPPINES 
) 
l IRS r KI GULAK SI ASSIGN 
)
SENATE
SEN ATI' BILL NO. 1 ^
> r u ;,.r
SLP ~Q P J ,
lit < ,
56
rn ’
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G, EJERCITO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
NATIONAL 
AND 
LOCAL 
HEALTH 
AND 
NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN, 
INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE FIRST 1000 DAYS AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
B(' if ciuh fed h\/ the \'iu ih ' luid House of Rep)'eseiitntliH's of the Philippmes in C(ni'^ivss 
nssenihled:
I 
SECTION 1. Title. - 1 his Act shall bo known as the "First 1,000 Days Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Hio right to health is a fiindaniontal principle 
guaranteed by the Slate. Section 15, Article 2, of the 1987 Constitution emphasizes 
that " 1 he State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill 
health consciousness among them." Moreover, pursuant to various international 
human rights instruments and agreements that the State adheres to, the State 
guarantees the right to adequate food, care and nutrition to children, especially those 
from zero to five-years old.
IFie State likewise declares its determination to eliminate hunger and to reduce all 
forms of malnutrition. Ihe State further maintains that nutrition is both an end-goal 
and a means to achieve sustained development. It is a multi-faceted issue requiring 
committed inputs from all 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, in an integrated manner.
Hie State fuithermore alkx'ates its resources in a sustainable manner thereby 
eiadicating malnutrition of women of reproductive age, pregnant women, and 
children from 0 to 24 months.
Ilie State finally refocuses the intervention program on malnutrition to the first 1,000 
days of a child's life, i.e. the nine months in the womb and the first 24 months of 
his/her life which are crucial in preventing malnutrition.
Sec. 3.0bjectives.— 1 his Act specifically aims to;


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(.1) 
I’rovido a niori1 coniprohonsivo, sust.iinable and multi-sectoral approach to 
address malnutrition;
(b)
’rovide a pt>licy environment conducive to nutrition improvement;
(c) 
Provide mechanisms, strategies and approaches in implementing programs 
and projects to improve nutritional status and to eradicate malnutrition ami hunger;
(d) 
Strengthen the National Nutrition Council (NNC) as the policy-making body 
on nutrition; and
(e) 
In sure the meaningtul and active participation, partnership and cooperation 
of NNC-member agencies, other National Government Agencies (NGAs), l,(x:al 
Government Units (l,GUs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and the 
piivate sector, in an integrated and holistic manner, for the promotion of tln' 
nuhitional well-being ot the population.
Sec. 4. Types and Definition of Malnutrition. - The following fypes of malnutrition 
are hereby defined:
a) 
Diw birth weight refers to weight at birth of less than 2500 grams or 5.5 
pounds;
b) 
Underweight refers to low weight-for-age which is less than negative two (2) 
standard deviations (SD) of the Wl lO Child Growth Standard median; ’
c) 
Stunting refers to low height-for-age which is less than negative 2 SO of the 
WI lO Child Growth Standard median and which is an indicator of long standing or 
chronic malnutrition;
d) 
Wasting refers to low weight-for-height which is less than negative 2 SD of 
the WHO Child Growth Standard median.
e) 
Overweight reters to vseight above1 normal for height, which is greater than 
positive 2 standard deviations (SD) of the Wl lO Child Growth Standard median;
SFC. 
5. 
Comprehensive 
Anli-Malinitrition 
Program.-1 here shall 
be a 
comprehensive and sustainable strategy to address the health and nutrition 
problems in the country to be formulated by the DOI1-NNC, in cooperaHon with 
other government agencies, l.GUs, the private sector, relevant civil society 
organizations and industries, within threi1 (.4) months from the ettectiviW ot this Act.
I he health program shall focus on pregnant and lactating women as well as the 
health and nutrition of their newborn children from 1 to 1,000 days.
Sec. 6. Coverage. - Ihis Act covers all 1 ilipinos who are nutritionally at risk, with 
specific focus on women of reproductive age, pregnant and lactating women, 
particularly teen-age mothers, and all l ilipino children from birth to ages zero to two


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(2) years old that reside in Geographically Isolated and 1 disadvantaged Areas 
(Gll)A), i.e. areas that ai'o isolated due to distance, weather conditions and 
transportation, iinserved and underserved comiminities and other areas identified to 
have high incidences of poverty, presence of vulnerable sector, coinnuinities in or 
recovering from situation of crisis or armed conflict and rec(>gni/,eil as such by the 
hood and Nutrition Research Institute (I NRI).
Sec. 7. Program Phrases. 1 he program shall consist of three phrases, namely:
a) 
Pregnancy until birth. - Pregnant mother's nutrition is crucial to the 
tlevelopments of infants. Mothers who are not in good health could result 
to premature delivery, unhealthy infants, or even death. Prenatal care 
sendees at the faciliU- level shall include: pregnancy tracking anil 
enrollment to prenatal care services; identification of nutritionally-at-risk 
pregnant women; microniitirient supplementation with iron-folic aciii and 
use of iodi/ed salt and fortified foods; prevention of neonatal tetanus, oral 
health; empowering women on the preparatiivi of birth plans; Philhealth 
enrollment and linkage to comnuinitv health volunteers.
b) 
1“' day to 6 months - 1 lealth services shall focus on breastfeeding for the 
newborn with emphasis on early initiation of breastfeeding within the first 
hour of life and exclusive breastfeeding for all infants until 6 months of 
age; immunizafion services (at birth up to oni' year of age)
c) 
6 months to 2 years - I lealth sei'vices shall cover timely introduction of 
safe, appropriate and nutrient dense quality complementary food with 
continued and sustained breastfeeding for all infants up to 2 years of age; 
micronutrient supplementation from 6 months with iron sulfate. Vitamin 
A and/or micronutrient powder; growth ami development monitoring 
and promotion and deworming for child at 1 year of age.
Sec. 8. Program Components. - Ihe strategy or program on I lealth and Nutrition 
shall include the ti^llowing components :
a. 
Nutritional supplements for the pregnant vMimen to incliuh' iron-folate 
supplementation and for the infants starting at 6 months vitamin A 
supplementation anil Micronutrient in complementary feeding
b. 
C heck-ups to include support tor teenage mothers and those coming from 
geographically isolated and depressed areas (GIDA); nutritional support 
tor nutritionally at risk mothers; lactation support for women with infants 
in the workplace and the informal sector
c. 
Vaccination to cover all the recommended available vaccines that can 
prevent childhood disease.
d. 
Counselling should be skilled (based on tix hnical standards) and should 
include exclusive breastfeeding for 0-6 months and age appropriate' 
complementary feeding from 6-24 months with continueil breastfeeding 
up fo 2 years of age and beyond; water, sanitation and hygiene promotion


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S-
I’liblu: information drive using quad media approach not to be limited in 
the schools but to incliule health facilities, u'orkplaces, communities anti 
public places
Monitoring shall involve all the relevant stakeholders with a monitoring 
tool jointly developed by all agencies involved to include civil sociep’ 
organizations (CSOs)
Breastfeeding stations can also be established in the intormal sector to 
include public places like markets, transportation stations, agriculture and 
fishing inilustries and public malls.
Sec. 9. Program Implementation. 4 he DOl I and NNC shall establish a framework to 
monitor the status ot women during and after their pregnancv and the status ot their 
children.
Hie nOl I shall monitor the overall implementation of the program and lead in the 
distribution of supplements, administration of check-ups and vaccinations in the 
different barangays nationwide.
Sec. 10. The National Nutrition Council. - I he composition of the NNC Governing 
Board is hereby amendeil and the same shall now be composed of the following:
(a) 
Secretary of 1 lealth (Chairperson);
(b) 
Secretary of AgnculturefVice k hairperson);
(c) 
Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
(d) 
Secretary ot the Department of I ducation;
(e) 
Secretary of the Department of Science and lechnologv - hood and 
Nutrition Research Institute (I NRl);
(t) 
St'cretary of the Department of Budget and Management;
(g) 
Sr'cretary of the Department of 1 rade and Industry;
(h) 
St'cretary of the Department of Interior and I ocal Government;
(i) 
Secretary of Labor and I niployment;
(j) 
Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women;
(k) 
Ihe I.xecutive Director of the National Ironomic and Development 
Authority; and
(l) 
Ihree representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the 
President of the I’hilippines who shall come from the fooil, nutrition 
industry, and women sectors, respectively. Said representatives shall serve 
for a term of two (2) years.
In the event that any cabinet member cannot attend a council meeting, said 
member shall be repix'sented by an undersecretary or assistant secretaiy.
1 he composition of the NNC s Si'crefariat and 1 echnical Committee as defined in 
1,xecutive Order No. 244, Series of 1987 shall be maintained.
Sec. 11. Functions and Powers of NNC-Ihe NNC shall have the following 
functions and pow ers:


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(a) 
I'oniuilato national nutrition policies, plans, strategies and approaches for 
nutrition improvement;
(b) 
Oversee and serve as a hxal point in the integration of nutrition policies 
ami programs of all member agencies and instrumentalities charged with 
the implementation of existing laws, policies, rules and regulations 
concerning nu trition;
(c) 
Coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and projects of the public and 
private sectors and I ,GUs to ensure their integration with national policies;
(d) 
Receive grants, donations am.1 contributions, in anv form, from foreign 
governments, private institutions and other funding entities for nutrition 
programs and projects: Proviikd, I hat no conditions shall be maile 
contraiy to the policies or provisions of this Act;
(e) 
Coordinate the release of public funds for the promotion of the nutritional 
well-being of the country in accordance with the approved programs and 
projects; and
(0 
Call upon any government agency and instrumentality for such assistance 
as may be required to implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 12. Role of Member-Agencies. - Hie 1)011 and the NNC shall lead 
implementation of the program with the help of the following agencies: the DSWl), 
the DILG, state universities and the local government units (LGUs).
llie DSWI), in turtherance of any of its programs, shall help ami coordinate in the 
implementation and monitoring ot the program in all barangays nationwide
Ihe 1)11,G through the I GUs and their respective Barangav Health Workers (HI IWs), 
Rural health Workers, and barangay Nutrition Scholars (HNS) shall assist the DON 
in the implementation of the program. Hie I.GUs shall likewise endeavor to provide 
sustained capability' building skills to HNSs and HI IWs in support of local nutrition 
programs.
The con.soiti 11111 of State Universities and Colleges (SUUs) shall intensify7 nutrition- 
related training, research and extension support activities through the Barangay 
Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Iniprovement (HIDANl) Network 
Program of the Rural Poor and other relevant approaches, thereby strengthening 
delivery systems in partnership with the UGUs.
NGOs shall be encouraged to undertake nutrition-related researches and to 
recommend procedures and guidelines promotive of good nutrition among 
employees of agencies or members of NGOs.
The Private Sector shall also be encouragetl to provide technical and financial 
assistance to community-based nutrition projects though their corporate social 
responsibility7 programs, as their participation in the country's bid to enhance human 
development and hunian capital forination.
Sec. 13. Nutrition in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters and Calamities. - Areas 
that are struck by7 disasters must be prioritized in the delivery7 of nutrition programs. 
National, regional, and local governments are mandated to imniediately7 provide


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emergency food supplies for proper nourishment of Idctating mothers and children, 
specifically those from zero to two (2) years old.
Private sector donations in emergency situations shall be allow eil immediately in the 
aftermath of natural disasters and calamities, the National Ifisaster Risk Reiluction 
and Management Council (NDRMMC) is hereby mandated ti> fonnulate guidelines 
m pursuit of this bt'ction.
National and local disaster risk reduction and management councils are hereby 
enjoined to involve women in the decision-making process, allowing them to take 
part in implementing ilisaster preparedness, recovery and rehabilitation programs.
Sec. 14. Appropriations - lire amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged to the current appropriations for the Department of 1 lealth. 
I hereafter, such sum as may be neces.sary for the continued implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninetv (hO) liays from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of I lealth shall, in coordination with the 
Sc'cretary of the Interior ami Local Government and St'cretary of Social Welfare and 
Development promulgate rules and regulatii>ns necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ilecrees, executive orders, administrative 
orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are herebv 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec.l7. Effectivity. Ihis Act shall take affect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulabon.
Approved,