NUTRITION CENTER OF THE

PHILIPPINES
Programs
The NCP models and advocates several health and nutrition programs that address the
millennium development goals 1 (eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), 4 (reduce child
mortality) and 5 (improve maternal health).

Pabasa sa Nutrisyon is an innovative approach in strengthening the implementation of the five

(5) Impact Programs (Home, School and Community Food Production, Micronutrient
Supplementation, Food Fortification, Nutrition Education and Food Assistance) of the Philippine
Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). Through Pabasa, mothers are grouped into 10-12 per class
informally discussing health and nutrition using behaviorally designed materials developed by the
Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP). Pabasa is designed to empower women in reducing
their family’s vulnerability to malnutrition through the adoption of proper nutrition practices and
healthy lifestyles.  The NCP provides training and materials for local government units and
NGOs that plan to implement Pabasa. To know more about Pabasa, contact us at
programs@ncp.org.ph

Food Always in the Home (FAITH) is a home and school gardening program that NCP
advocates.  FAITH focuses on home food security making food always available, accessible and
affordable for the family. Training is provided to scientifically learn how to plant fruits and
vegetables without the use of pesticides and using limited space.  By promoting fruits and
vegetables, the NCP encourages dietary diversity which is associated with better health
outcomes.  The NCP can provide training and materials for local government units and NGOs
that plan to implement FAITH. To know more about Faith , contact us at programs@ncp.org.ph

Nutripan sa Eskwelahan (Nutripan) establishes a bakery that caters to primarily to

schoolchildren.  The bakery, based in the school or in the community, is mandated to provide
bread or biscuits fortified with iron and vitamin A to schoolchildren at an affordable price.  This
project is essentially a feeding project for schoolchildren (and in some areas, for preschool
children as well). Nutripan is different from other feeding projects.  Bread is sold and the bakery
seeks to be self-sustaining by generating enough sales to maintain its operating expenses.  This
project grew form the NCP’s own research findings (link to research) that fortified bread can
reduce vitamin A deficiency and moderate anemia.  This project translates biomedical research
into a tangible program that benefits children.  To date, there are 36 bakeries in various parts of
the country. To know more about Nutripan, contact us at programs@ncp.org.ph

Kumare (Kalusugan para Umunlad si Mare) is a maternal health program designed to improve
the delivery of much-needed iron supplements to pregnant women.  We have demonstrated that
this approach increases the number of prenatal visits, the number of iron tablets consumed, and
improved hemoglobin levels.  The intervention is anchored on training and re-orientation of
health workers by giving them more responsibility for the mothers in their catchment area.  Key
skills are taught and simple materials are used to monitor the implementation.   To know more
about Kumare, contact us at programs@ncp.org.ph
Supplementary Feeding Programs can be designed by NCP for non-government organizations or
local government units that plan to have a feeding program.  The NCP can provide a variety of
food products (Link to Shop>PNFC) that can ensure a 30 day cycle of flour-based, rice-based or
milk-based food products that meet at least 33% of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient
Intakes.  To know more about our food products, contact us at nutrifoods@ncp.org.ph. 

http://www.ncp.org.ph/index.php/Programs.html

NUTRITIONAL STATUS of the Philippines

Initial results of the 6th National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute
(FNRI) in 2003 and Updates on the 2001 Nutritional Status of Filipino Children show that
malnutrition
continues to persist in the Philippines. These studies found that although there are modest
gains, the
improvements in the nutrition status of Filipinos observed from 1990 to 2001 have been
very slow.

http://www.senate.gov.ph/publications/AG%202006-06%20-%20Nutritional%20Status%20of%20Filipino
%20Children.pdf

SUMMARY

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient deficiencies remain the leading nutritional
problems in the Philippines. The general declining trend in the prevalence of underweight,
wasting and stunting among Filipino children noted in the past 10 years was countered with the
increase in the prevalence rate in 1998. About 4 million (31.8%) of the preschool population
were found to be underweight-for-age, 3 million (19.8%) adolescents and 5 million (13.2%)
adults, including older persons were found to be underweight and chronically energy deficient,
respectively.

The status of micronutrient malnutrition is likewise an important concern in the country. The
vitamin A status of the country is considered severe subclinical deficiency affecting children 6
months - 5 years (8.2%) and pregnant women (7.1%). Iron deficiency anemia is the most
alarming of the micronutrient deficiencies affecting a considerable proportion of infants (56.6%),
pregnant women (50.7%), lactating women (45.7%) and male older persons (49.1%). Prevalence
of IDD was mild (71mg/L). However, 35.8% children 6 – 12 years old still suffer from moderate
and severe IDD.

Overweight and obesity are also prevalent in the country affecting a significant proportion of
children, adolescents and adults, which predispose them to certain nutrition and health risks. This
is evident in the rising trend in the prevalence of diseases of the heart and the vascular system.
Malnutrition in the Philippines is caused by a host of interrelated factors – health, physical,
social, economic and others. Food supply and how it is distributed and consumed by the
populace have consequent impact on nutritional status. While reports indicate that there are
enough food to feed the country, many Filipinos continue to go hungry and become
malnourished due to inadequate intake of food and nutrients. In fact, except for protein, the
typical Filipino diet was found to be grossly inadequate for energy and other nutrients. In order
to compensate for the inadequate energy intake, the body utilizes protein as energy source. Thus,
the continuing PEM problem in the country.

The present economic situation of the country further aggravates the malnutrition problem with
about 28 million Filipinos unable to buy food to meet their nutritional requirements and other
basic needs. While it was reported that the health status of Filipinos improved in terms of the
decrease in the mortality rates of mothers and infants, the rising incidence of infectious diseases
such as diarrhea and respiratory diseases contributed to the poor nutritional status of many
Filipinos. The effect of the 1997 Asian financial crisis as well as the El Niño phenomenon was
also manifested in the increase in the prevalence of malnutrition in the national nutrition survey
of 1998.

http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/phi-e.stm