LAMIGO, DANIEFELLE C.

NUTRITION CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP) was established the same year as the NNC
(National Nutrition Council). NCP is a private, nonprofit organization whose mandate is to mobilize
nongovernmental resources, conduct research, and develop nutrition program models in support of the
Philippine nutrition plan and program. NCP is not funded by the government, income-generating
subsidiary corporation help sustain the NCP. Philippine Nutri-Foods Corporation (PNFC) develops and
sells micronutrient-fortified complementary and supplementary foods and nutrition-related items used
by government agencies and nongovernmental organizations in food assistance programs. National
Center of the Philippine Publishing Corporation (NCPPC) develops nutrition information and educational
materials designed for the different target audiences of the NNC national nutrition education program.

Relationship of NNC and other government agencies with the NCP can be considered a model
of public–private partnership. In 1977, the NCP was selected as an associated institution of the United
Nations University (UNU). Together, the UNU and the NCP have provided advanced training in
community-based planning and management of nutrition programs to UNU fellows chosen from
developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Nutrition Surveys

There were no national nutrition surveys to guide policy makers. The FNRI conducted the first
National Nutrition Survey in 1978. FNRI is a research and nutrition assessment arm of the Department of
Science and Technology, a member of the NNC. The national nutrition surveys have been conducted
every 5 years since 1978. There have been six national nutrition surveys conducted from 1978 to 2003.
The FNRI has also conducted regional nutrition surveys of anthropometry, dietary, and biochemical
indicators that cover one region per year. The survey results are analyzed, interpreted, and fed back to
the NNC governing board and, more importantly, to the LGUs and the public through multimedia. The
findings of the national survey serve as a guide for planners and programmers to identify the regions
and even the provinces and populations that are most at risk for protein–energy and micronutrient
malnutrition. Like wise, these series of regional surveys, together with the findings of the FNRI’s special
studies and of research of other sectors, were the basis of the NNC’s first national nutrition policy and
the Philippine Nutrition Program (PNP). In the early 1970s, the PNP identified protein–energy
malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency, anemia, and iodine-deficiency disorders as the main nutrition
problems to be addressed.

Operation Timbang

In the 1970s, there was clearly a need to start a nationwide movement to create awareness of
the nutrition problem and the accompanying solutions at the village level. Operation Timbang (which
means “weighing”) aimed to determine the weights of preschool children so that immediate nutrition
assistance could be given to the underweight children and nutrition changes recorded on a growth-
monitoring chart. In the process, Operation Timbang awakened the community’s awareness of
nutritional problems, and participation in solving these problems was enhanced. Early on, one practical
problem with Operation Timbang was the availability of a standard weighing scale in the barangay. This
problem encouraged innovation. The NCP developed a bar-type weighing scale (“barscale”). The
Department of Health (DOH) validated and field-tested the barscale and recommended it for field use
together with the Salter scale. Operation Timbang as institutionalized by the NNC is now conducted
once a year. Operation Timbang is a nationwide barangay-driven assessment effort, and the results give
a profile of nutritional status at the village level. In the barangay, families with underweight children are
identified and targeted for delivery of vital nutrition services. At the policy level, these data allow the
planners to rank the region, provinces, municipalities, and barangays according to the prevalence of
underweight among preschool children.

Question1. Aimed to determine the weights of preschool children so that immediate nutrition
assistance could be given to the underweight children and nutrition changes recorded on a growth-
monitoring chart. Answer1.OPERATION TIMBANG

Question2. Is a research and nutrition assessment arm of the Department of Science and Technology,
and a member of the NNC.

Answer2. FNRI

SEC 11. NUTRITION IN THE AFTERMATH OF NATURAL DISASTER AND CALAMITIES

Areas that are affected by disasters and emergency situations, both natural and man-made must
be prioritized in the delivery of health and nutrition service, and psychosocial service intervention. NGAs
and LGUs are mandated to immediately provide emergency services, food supplies for proper
nourishment of pregnant and lactating mothers, and children, especially from zero (0) to two (2) years
old.

Donation of milk formula, breastmilk substitutes, and products covered by Milk Code without
the approval of the Inter-Agency Committee created under Executive Order No. 51, Series of 1986, shall
be prohibited in order to protect the health and nutrition of pregnant and lactating women, infants and
young children before, during and after a disaster.

Strict compliance with the milk code and its revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
shall be observed, and options for mothers with breastfeeding problems will be provided.

DOH and other relevant department, in coordination with NDRRMC, shall formulate guidelines
and mechanisms in pursuit in this section, taking into consideration humanitarian, inclusive, gender and
culture-sensitive standards for the protection of children, pregnant, and lactating mothers, in
accordance with R.A. No. 10821 ( Children’s Emergency Relief And Protection Act), its complementing
rules and regulations, and the Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children.
SEC 12. CAPACITY-BUILDING OF BARANGAY HEALTH AND NUTRITION VOLUNTEERS

The DOH and the NNC, in coordination with LGUs, shall provide practical and effective training
courses to BNSs, BHWs and other personnel concerned to upgrade their skills And competence in the
implementation of the service and interventions for the health and nutrition of women and children.

SEC 13. THE NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL (NNC) GOVERNING BOARD- the NNC governing board shall
be composed of the following:

a. Secretary of the DOH as the ex officio Chairperson;

b. Secretary of the DA as the ex officio Vice Chairperson;
c. Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the ex officio Vice
Chairperson;
d. Secretary of DepEd;
e. Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
f. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
g. Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
h. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
i. Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM);
j. Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); and
k. Three (3) representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the President who shall
come from any of the following:
1. Health and nutrition professional organizations;
2. Women sector;
3. Farmer and fisherfolk;
4. Urban poor;
5. Organization or association of community health workers or BNS;
6. CSOs; and
7. Academe and research institutions

Said representatives shall serve for a term of two (2) years.

The heads of department may be represented by their duly designated representatives who
shall be of rank not lower than an Assistant Secretary.

Persons from the private sector with conflicts of interest, especially described in E.O No. 51,
Series of 1986, are prohibited from being members of the council.
 The composition of the NNC’s Secretariat and Technical Committee as defined in E.O. 234, series
of 1987, ”Reorganizing then National Nutrition Council” shall be maintained.

SEC 14. FUNCTIONS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NNC – the NNC, the highest policy-making
and coordinating body on nutrition, shall have the following functions and powers:

a) Formulate national nutrition policies, plans, strategies, and approaches for nutrition
improvement, including strategies on women, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition;
b) Oversee and serve as a focal point in the integration of nutrition policies and programs of all
member agencies and instrumentalities charged with the implementation of existing laws,
policies, rules, and regulations concerning nutrition.
c) Coordinate, monitor and evaluate nutrition programs and projects of the public and private
sectors and LGUs to ensure their integration with national policies.
d) Receive grants, donations and contributions, in any form, from foreign government, private
institutions and other funding entities for nutrition programs and projects: Provided, That no
conditions shall be made contrary to the policies or provisions of this act;
e) Coordinate the joint planning and budgeting of member agencies to ensure funds relevant
nutrition programs and projects; to ensure the release of funds in accordance with the approval
programs and projects; and to monitor implementation and track public expenditure on these
programs; and
f) Call upon any government agency and instrumentality for such assistance as may be required to
implement the provisions of these Act.

Question1. R.A. No. 10821 is also known as what?

Answer1. CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY RELIEF AND PROTECTION ACT

Question2. Give at least 3 representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the
President.

Answer2. Health and nutrition professional organizations; Women sector; Farmer and
fisherfolk; Urban poor; Organization or association of community health workers or BNS; CSOs;
andAcademe and research institutions