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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE:
By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 491, s. 1974, the month of July shall be designated as Nutrition Month in the Philippines.
P.D. No. 491, s. 1974 aims to create greater awareness regarding the importance of nutrition.
The State recognizes that there is a close interlinking relationship between food, education and nutrition. Presidential Decree No. 491, s. 1974 creates the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, making nutrition as a priority of the government which shall be implemented by all branches of the government in an integrated manner.
Presidential Decree No. 491, s. 1974 likewise designates the month of July as Philippine Nutrition Month.
The law says:
“The month of July shall be designated as NUTRITION MONTH, for the purpose of creating greater awareness among our people on the importance of nutrition. Activities thereto shall be approved and coordinated by the Council. This Nutrition Month of July shall be in lieu of the previously declared Nutrition Week in March.” (Sec. 7, P.D. No. 491, s. 1974)
Since the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 491, s. 1974, several laws have been enacted that recognize the crucial role of nutrition in making Filipinos healthy, resilient and empowered. These laws acknowledge the Filipino people’s right to health and basic commodities for nourishment.
Republic Act No. 7610, or the Local Government Code of 1991 mandates local government units to exercise their powers and discharge their functions as are necessary and appropriate for the effective provision of basic services including child welfare and nutrition services.
The law says:
“The delivery of basic social services in health and nutrition to children of indigenous cultural communities shall be given priority by all government agencies concerned. Hospitals and other health institution shall ensure that children of indigenous cultural communities are given equal attention. In the provision of health and nutrition services to children of indigenous cultural communities, indigenous health practices shall be respected and recognized.” (Section 19, Article IX, Local Government Code)
Republic Act No. 8976, or the Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 provides for the establishment of the Philippine Food Fortification Programs and targets addressing specific micronutrient deficiencies by mandatory fortification of staple food items.
The law says:
“The State recognizes that food fortification is vital where there is a demonstrated need to increase the intake of an essential nutrient by one or more population groups, as manifested in dietary, biochemical or clinical evidences of deficiency. Food fortification is considered important in the promotion of optimal health and to compensate for the loss of nutrients due to processing and/or storage of food.” (Section 2, Philippine Food Fortification Act)
The Philippine Milk Code (Executive Order No. 51), the Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act (Republic Act No. 7600), and the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 10028) specify the rules and regulations to protect, encourage and support the practice of breastfeeding, which benefit both infants and mothers.
Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act stressed the importance of guaranteeing that all Filipinos are health literate, provided with healthy living conditions, protected from hazards and risks that could affect their health. The law aims to progressively realize universal health care in the country through a systemic approach and clear delineation of roles of key agencies and stakeholders towards better performance in the health system; and ensure that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services, and protected against financial risk.
The law says:
“Every Filipino shall be granted immediate eligibility and access to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care for medical, dental, mental and emergency health services, delivered either as population-based or individual-based health services.” (Section 6, Universal Health Care Act)
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