Lawmaker proposes 1 nutrition officer for each city, town
Undernourished pupils in Tondo, Manila enjoyed the nutritious meals served. CONTRIBUTED FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—To address malnutrition in the country, a lawmaker filed a bill assigning a nutrition officer in each province, city or municipality.
Quezon 4th district Rep. Angelina Tan filed House Bill 3369 to “reduce the number of underweight children by half until 2015,” Tan said in a statement on Tuesday.
Tan cited a United Nations Children’s Fund report that said 3.6 million children are underweight while 4 million are stunted.
Under the bill, a nutrition officer must develop programs, plans and strategies for approval of the governor or mayor.
The officer must also conduct information campaign and coordinate with agencies involved in delivery of health services.
A provincial or city officer must be a local resident and a registered nutritionist-dietitian with at least five years experience, while a municipal officer must have only three years experience, the statement read.
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