QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11037)
RA 11037 is known as the “Masustansyang Pagkam para sa Batang Filipino Act.” It aims to address undernutrition among Filipino children, in order to combat hunger and undernutrition.
The National Feeding Program is the program established by RA 11037 to address undernutrition among Filipino children. The Department of Education (DepED) is the lead agency for public kindergarten and elementary schools, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the lead agency for public day care centers.
An “Undernourished Child” is a child supplied with less than the minimum foods essential for sound health and growth. It includes children suffering from chronic hunger and malnutrition, including those considered wasted, severely wasted, or stunted under WHO Child Growth Standards.
A “Fortified Meal” is a meal with deliberately increased essential micronutrients to improve nutritional quality and provide required calories and protein as prescribed by the National Nutrition Council (NNC), consisting of at least one-third (1/3) of the daily requirement based on the Philippine Dietary Reference Intake (PDRI).
A “Cycle Menu” refers to standardized menus prepared by national government agencies (NGAs) in coordination with the NNC and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI). It must be contextualized by age range, location and/or type of school, and may also reflect local cultural and/or religious eating preferences.
The DSWD must provide at least one (1) fortified meal for a period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year for undernourished day care children.
DepED must provide at least one (1) fortified meal to all undernourished public elementary school children from kindergarten to grade six for not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year.
The Milk Feeding Program aims to incorporate fresh milk and milk-based food products into fortified meals and cycle menus in accordance with the Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 (RA 8172). The NGAs coordinate with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Dairy Authority, the Philippine Carabao Center, and the Cooperative Development Authority.
RA 11037 references RA 8172. It requires that micronutrient supplements and the use of iodized salt be provided in accordance with the “Salt Iodization or ASIN” law (RA 8172).
NGAs in coordination with the DOH and LGUs concerned must conduct simultaneous health examinations, including deworming and vaccination as applicable.
“Gulayan sa Paaralan” is an initiative encouraging component units to cultivate vegetables and other nutrient-rich plants identified by the NNC. If a component unit lacks land, it may adopt modern gardening technologies with assistance from the DA, DOST, and city/municipal agricultural officers.
NGAs, coordinated with DOH and LGUs, must establish and maintain water and sanitation facilities and promote good hygiene and safe food preparation in component units, especially those areas used for preparing fortified meals.
NGAs must create a five-year plan and prioritize areas that: (a) have the highest prevalence of undernutrition and nutrient-deficiency among children aged three (3) up to grade six; (b) have available facilities/capability to implement the Program; or (c) prioritize the Program locally and are willing to provide counterpart resources.
The NNC harmonizes existing national and local nutrition databases from NGAs, LGUs, and other relevant government agencies to identify individuals, groups, or localities with the highest magnitude of hunger and undernutrition. It is used for monitoring the health and nutrition of all Filipino children, especially those covered by the Program.
LGUs must assist the NGAs in efficient and effective implementation and are authorized to use a portion of the Special Education Fund (SEF) and/or their 20% development fund under the Local Government Code (RA 7160) to augment appropriations under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Any donation or bequest to the NGAs (and LGUs) for the Program is exempt from donor’s tax. Donations in kind must be approved by the relevant NGAs upon recommendation of the NNC (for food products) and the DOH (for vaccines and supplements), as applicable.
The NGAs must promulgate their respective rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Act.
DBM, the Government Procurement Policy Board, and COA (in consultation with the NGAs) must establish and promulgate a community-based mode of procurement, liquidation, and audit to ensure efficient and effective implementation. This provision applies solely to Program implementation by NGAs and LGUs.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.