Duterte signs law on nationwide mandatory feeding program

President Rodrigo Duterte has enacted the measure institutionalizing a comprehensive national feeding program to address undernutrition among Filipino children.

Approved on June 20, Republic Act 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act mandates a feeding program in public day care, kindergarten, and elementary schools.

It orders government agencies to craft a five-year plan to "fully implement" the program and creation of the National Nutrition Information System.

The system would harmonize all existing national and local nutrition databases from national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs, and other relevant agencies in order to identify individuals, groups, and localities that have the "highest magnitude of hunger and malnutrition."

"This system shall be henceforth be utilized in monitoring the health and nutrition of all Filipino children, especially those covered by the program," the law stated.

Any donation or bequest made to the NGAs and LGUs for the program are exempted from donor's tax.

Such donations would have to be approved by the NGAs concerned upon the recommendation of the National Nutrition Council in the case of food products, and the Department of Health in the case of vaccine and supplements.

Government agencies have 90 days from effectivity of the law to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.

"The signing of Republic Act 11037 is a clear proof of the President’s dedication to afford every Filipino child of the right to proper healthcare and nutrition benefits," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

"It is a testament that the Duterte administration recognizes the importance of good nutrition to our children’s ability to develop into physically and mentally healthy individuals."

Roque said the Duterte administration aims to fight hunger and undernutrition among children "for we consider it a sin for the government to be unable to spend billions worth of budget while around six million Filipino youths suffer from acute malnutrition."

"We therefore welcome the passage of this law to safeguard them from the ill effects of undernourishment and subsequently enhance their learning capacities," the Palace official said. —NB, GMA News