Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 NOV -3 A10 :23 SENATE 1471 Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT," APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Article Il of the 1987 Constitution provides that the
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Despite efforts, malnutrition remains a serious problem. The current 120-day feeding period under Republic Act No. 11037 or the "Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act" is not enough to sustain children's nutritional needs throughout the school year.
Section 11 of R.A. No. 11321 or the "Sagip Saka Act" mandates
the government to prioritize accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and enterprises in purchasing agricultural and fishery products. Amending the National Feeding Program to reflect this provision is a demonstration of our commitment to enforce laws that benefit our marginalized sectors. To strengthen the program, this bill seeks to extend the National Feeding Program of RA No. 11037 to cover the entire school year and mandate the direct purchase of agricultural and fishery products from
accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives, consistent with Section 11 of R.A. No. 11321 or the "Sagip Saka Act." By linking the feeding program with local producers, the measure aims to combat hunger, support livelihoods, and promote a sustainable and inclusive food system. In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly sought. ERWIN T. TULFO
Senate Office of the Socretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session NOV -3 A10:23 RECEIVED EL SENAT E471 Senate Bill No._ Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11037 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MASUSTANSYANG PAGKAIN PARA SA BATANG PILIPINO ACT," APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11037 otherwise
known as the "Masustansyang Pagkain Para Sa Batang Pilipino Act" is hereby amended to read, as follows: "Sec. 4. National Feeding Program. - The National Feeding Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, is hereby established to address undernutrition among Filipino children. The Program shall have the following components and coverage: (a) Supplemental Feeding Program for Day Care Children. - The DSWD, in coordination with the LGUs concerned, shall implement a supplemental feeding program for undernourished children withlages three (3) to five years.
The program shall be administered in a day care centers or in any other facility which can be used for such purpose: Provided, That the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1) fortified meal for la period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year ] THE DURATION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR: Provided, further, That in the preparation of fortified meals, the DSWD shall work in collaboration with recognized parents' organizations; (b) School-Based Feeding Program. - The DepEd shall implement a school-based feeding program for undernourished public school children from kindergarten to grade six (6): Provided, That the Program shall include the provision of at least one (1) fortified meal to all undernourished public elementary school children for [a period of not less than one hundred twenty (120) days in a year| THE DURATION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. XXX (h) Integrated Nutrition Education, Behavioral Transformation, and Social Mobilization. - The Program shall be complemented by a public health, nutrition, and values transformation campaign to promote a holistic and integrated approach to health and nutrition education. Orientation-training on the objectives and mechanics of the Program shall be held among personnel of the NGAs and LCDs concerned, parent volunteers and the parent-teachers associations (PTAs) to generate support for the Program. The NGAs concerned shall also endeavor to mobilize community organizations to continue nutrition education outside of the school!.] ; AND (I) DIRECT PROCUREMENT FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS. - TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROGRAM AND SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERY INDUSTRIES,
THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUS, AND OTHER IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES SHALL DIRECTLY PROCURE AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERY PRODUCTS FROM ACCREDITED FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK COOPERATIVES AND ENTERPRISES PURSUANT TO SECTION 11 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11321, KNOWN AS THE SAGIP SAKA ACT. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) SHALL ISSUE SIMPLIFIED AND SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ACCREDITATION OF FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK COOPERATIVES AND ENTERPRISES.
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety
(90) days from approval of this Act, the DSWD, DepEd, and the DA, in coordination with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary in the proper implementation of this Act.
SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the concerned national government agencies. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this
Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances,
2 rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 3 Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 7 newspapers of general circulation. Approved,