Declaration of Policy
- Recognizes the youth's vital role in nation-building.
- Promotes and protects physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of youth.
- Establishes a comprehensive national feeding program to address undernutrition among Filipino children.
Definitions
- Cycle Menu: Standardized menus created by NGAs with NNC and FNRI, adapted to age, location, school type, and cultural/religious preferences with variety and local availability.
- Fortified Meal: Meal enriched with essential micronutrients providing at least one-third of daily caloric and protein requirements as per PDRI.
- Health Examination: Assessment by NGAs with DOH and LGUs on beneficiary’s overall health including height, weight, and any special medical needs.
- National Government Agencies (NGAs): Department of Education (DepED) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as lead agencies.
- Undernourished Child: A child receiving less than the minimum essential foods for health and growth, including those classified as wasted, severely wasted, or stunted per WHO standards.
National Feeding Program Components and Coverage
- Supplemental Feeding for Day Care: DSWD and LGUs implement for children aged 3-5 with at least one fortified meal for a minimum of 120 days annually; collaboration with parent organizations required.
- School-Based Feeding Program: DepED to provide at least one fortified meal to undernourished public elementary children (kindergarten to grade 6) for at least 120 days yearly.
- Milk Feeding Program: Coordination with DA, National Dairy Authority, and others to incorporate fresh/local milk in meals to improve nutrition and support local dairy industry.
- Micronutrient Supplements: NGAs coordinate with DOH to provide supplements and iodized salt as mandated by law.
- Health Examination, Vaccination, Deworming: Conducted jointly by NGAs, DOH, and LGUs to maintain wellness.
- Gulayan sa Paaralan: NGAs encouraged to allocate land or use modern gardening for vegetable cultivation; parents encouraged to do likewise.
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Establish facilities and promote hygiene and safe food preparation at feeding sites.
- Integrated Nutrition Education and Social Mobilization: Public health campaigns, orientation for NGO and LGU personnel and parents, and community nutrition education.
Prioritization Criteria for Program Implementation
- Implementation focus on LGUs and schools with:
- Highest undernutrition prevalence among children 3 years to grade 6.
- Available facilities and capabilities.
- Willingness to prioritize and provide counterpart resources.
National Nutrition Information System
- NNC to harmonize all nutrition-related databases for identifying hunger and malnutrition hotspots.
- System to monitor health and nutrition of all children, especially program beneficiaries.
Role of Local Government Units (LGUs)
- LGUs assist NGAs in program implementation.
- Authorized to use Special Education Fund or 20% development fund to augment program appropriations.
Private Sector Participation
- NGAs encouraged to involve PTAs, private corporations, NGOs, foreign and local groups to partner in program implementation.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Regular monitoring and assessment by NGAs, LGUs, NNC, and stakeholders.
- Compliance with standards on food safety, quality, accountability, community participation, procurement, and liquidation.
- Annual status report submitted to the Office of the President and Congress.
Tax Exemption
- Donations or bequests to NGAs or relevant government agencies for the program exempt from donor's tax.
- Donations in kind require approval based on recommendations from NNC (for food) or DOH (for vaccines and supplements).
Appropriations
- Initial funding from current NGA appropriations.
- Continuous implementation funds included in the General Appropriations Act under respective NGA budgets.
Procurement of Goods and Services
- DBM, Government Procurement Policy Board, and COA to establish community-based procurement, liquidation, and audit processes.
- Applies only to NGA and LGU program implementation.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- NGAs to promulgate rules within 90 days in consultation with NNC, FNRI, DOH, DA, DILG, LGUs, NGOs, and development partners.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect the rest of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Inconsistent laws, orders, rules, and regulations are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.