KEY MILESTONE IN PHILIPPINES

1906

Establishment of Gota de Lech

1906 - Establishment of Gota de Leche

• Established in 1906 by Asociación Feminista Filipina and Dr. Fernando Calderón.

• Created to fight child malnutrition and reduce infant deaths caused by poor feeding and hygiene.

• Provided pasteurized milk, nutrition education, and medical care for mothers and children.

• One of the first child-feeding programs in the Philippines and Asia.

Asociación Feminista Filipina and Dr. Fernando Calderón.

Who established Gota de Leche?

1947 - 1949 

Bataan Rice Enrichment Project

1947-1949 - Bataan Rice Enrichment Project

• Studied by Quiogue (1952) and led by Dr. Juan Salcedo Jr.

• Aimed to fight beriberi caused by vitamin B1 deficiency. Tested fortifying rice with thiamine (B1), niacin (B3), and iron.

• 90% drop in beriberi cases and deaths among those who ate enriched rice.

• Led to the Rice Enrichment Law of 1952, requiring fortified rice nationwide.

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine

Beriberi is caused by?

1955

Establishment of the Institute of Nutrition

1955 - Establishment of the Institute of Nutrition

• Established in 1955 to address malnutrition in the Philippines.

• Tasked to research nutrition, monitor Filipinos nutritional status, and create policies for better public health.

• Worked with sectors like agriculture, education, and social welfare to promote nutrition awareness.

• Later became the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) under DOST.

• Continues to lead nutrition surveys, research, and policy-making today.

1974

Nutrition Act of the Philippines (PD 491)

1974 - Nutrition Act of the Philippines (PD 491)

• Response to widespread malnutrition

• Established National Nutrition Council (NNC)

• Nutrition made as a national priority

• Declared July as Nutrition Month

• Foundation for coordinated nutrition programs

1974-1978

Philippine Nutrition Program (PNP)

1974-1978 - Philippine Nutrition Program (PNP)

Operation Timbang: Annual weighing/height measurement of 0-59 months children by barangay health workers and nutrition scholars to identify malnutrition and guide interventions

1979

Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Program

1979 - Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Program

• Established through Presidential Decree No. 1569 (1979)

• Grassroots initiative to strengthen nutrition service delivery at the community level

• Implemented by the National Nutrition Council (NNC

1997

Asin Law (RA 8172)

1997 - Asin Law (RA 8172)

• Established in 1995 to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDS)

• Requires all salt for human and animals to be iodized

• Implemented by DOH, FDA, and LGUs

• Improved iodine status but implementation is still uneven

• Nutrition professionals play a vital role in education and monitoring

2000

Food Fortification Act (RA 8976)

2000 - Food Fortification Act (RA 8976)

• Enacted to fight micronutrient deficiencies

• Mandates fortification in staple foods

• Introduced by Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program (SPSP)

• Recent updates improved fortification standard

• Strengthens the fight against hidden hunger through partnerships

2005 - 2010

PPAN Implementation Phase

2005-2010 - PPAN Implementation Phase

• Core Program: reduce malnutrition (stunting) through prioritizing nutritionally at-risk populations and regions

• Lacked in providing a large-scale program targeting acute malnutrition, child wasting and thinness, or rising obesity rates

• The Barangay Nutrition Scholar were empowered and continued to operate

2011 - 2016

PPAN Framework Revision

2011-2016 - PPAN Framework Revision

• PPAN was renewed.

• The framework was revised as a response to slow progress in reducing malnutrition despite initial efforts.

• Emphasized the evidence-based planning and result-based monitoring.

• The main goal is to reduce child mortality, morbidity, prioritize at risk pregnant women and children under two.

2014

The Philippines Joined the SUN Movement

2014 - The Philippines Joined the SUN Movement

• Unites multi-sectoral collaborators to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

• Support the global goal of ending hunger, known as Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

• Establish and strengthen the national Multi-Sectoral Platform through the NNC, integrating health, agriculture, welfare, and civil society in nutrition planning.

2017 

Development and Launch of Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017–2022

2017 - Development and Launch of Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017–2022

• Main nutrition plan aligned with “Health for All.”

• Led by National Nutrition Council (NNC).

• 8 nutrition-specific, 5 nutrition sensitive, 3 enabling programs.

• Multi-sectoral and LGU integrated approach.

• Core blueprint to end malnutrition in the Philippines.

2018

The “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” (RA 11148) was passed into law

2018 - The “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” (RA 11148) was passed into law

• Focuses on nutrition from pregnancy to age two.

• Led by DOH and NNC; authored by Sen. Hontiveros.

• Supports infants, mothers, and at-risk groups through health and nutrition services.

• Aligns with PPAN 2017–2022 to fight malnutrition and promote nutrition securit

2018 - 2020

Launch of the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS)

2018-2020 - Launch of the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS)

• Conducted by DOST–FNRI to assess Filipinos’ nutrition status.

• Provides localized data for planning and nutrition programs.

• Showed improvement in undernutrition, but issues like food insecurity remain.

• Supports tracking of PDP 2023 2028, AmBisyon Natin 2040, PPAN 2023–2028, SDGs 2 & 3, and Global Nutrition Targets.

2019

Strengthened Local Nutrition Governance through JMC 2019-0001

2019 - Strengthened Local Nutrition Governance through JMC 2019-0001

• Issued by NNC, DILG, DOH, DBM to empower LGUs in nutrition governance.

• Promotes integration of PPAN 2017–2022 into local plans and budgets.

• Led to Local Nutrition Action Plans (2020–2022) and improved coordination and funding for nutrition programs

2021

Implementation of the Technical Assistance for Nutrition (TAN) Project

2021 - Implementation of the Technical Assistance for Nutrition (TAN) Project

• Implemented by Nutrition International (NTEAM).

• Provides technical support to strengthen national and local nutrition capacity.

• Helped develop PPAN 2017–2022 through participatory planning.

• Strengthened regional operations, encouraged ₱1.3B.

• LGU investment, and promoted evidence-based action

2022 

Completion of PPAN 2017-2022

2022 - Completion of PPAN 2017-2022

• Focused on First 1000 Days to improve maternal and child nutrition.

• Strengthened local nutrition governance.

• Reduced stunting and wasting in key areas.

• Aligned with SDGs and AmBisyon Natin 2040.

• Built systems for evidence-based policymaking.

2023

Launch of PPAN 2023-2028

2023 - Launch of PPAN 2023-2028

• Launched in September 2023 as 11th national nutrition policy

• Addresses the triple burden of malnutrition

• ₱592B for 34 high-burden provinces

• Promotes inclusive, community-driven actions

• Uses digital tools for better monitoring and outcomes

2024

50th Anniversary of the National Nutrition (NNC)

2024 - 50th Anniversary of the National Nutrition (NNC)

• Highlights local government accountability and community participation

• Promotes evidence-based and data-driven nutrition programming

• Addresses the triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity