Inihain ni AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee ang House Bill (HB) No. 7586 o ang “Nutrition Act of 2023” para palawigin ang kapangyarihan ng National Nutrition Council (NNC) sa isang Commission para patatagin ang mandato nito na tugunan ang problema sa malnutrisyon.

“Our country faces the multi-faceted problems of malnutrition and undernutrition which are deeply rooted in different health, social, economic, and political aspects, resulting in prevailing illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and child stunting, among others,” aniya. 

“It is high time to strengthen the NNC to expand its powers and functions and scale it up into a Commission to respond to the prevailing hunger and malnutrition situation in the country,” dagdag ni Lee. 

Mula ng pagkatatag nito noong 1974, ang NNC ay nananatiling maliit na ahensya na may 150 officials at staff sa central at regional office para tugunan ang kanilang tungkulin sa policy-making, pakikipag ugnayan, pag-monitor, at pagsusuri ng nutrition programs.

Sa ilalim ng HB No. 7586, ang 10-year Philippine Plan of Action For Nutrition ay bubuuin ng Commission kasama ng mga non-government organizations at ibang ahensya ng gobyerno gaya ng Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Education.

“Healthy citizens play an important role in realizing food security within families and communities. Kaya kailangan ng matatag at maaasahang Komisyon na talagang nakatutok para tugunan ang mga pangangailangan sa nutrisyon ng Pilipino. Mas makakaambag sa lipunan ang malusog at produktibong mamamayan, kaya Winner Tayo Lahat sa pagsasabatas ng panukalang ito,” pahayag ni Lee. 

Photo credit: Department of Social Welfare and Development Official  Website