University of Caloocan City

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 1

BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

Nutrition is one of the most important factors for human-resource development

in a country but it is sad to say that there is a country such as the Philippines that is
having a hard time in this subject matter. For years, the Philippines have been suffering
a serious problem in malnutrition. Defined as an unhealthy condition that result from
not eating enough food or not eating enough healthy food, malnutrition as of this year
has reached a chronic state, according to a recent study by the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute (FNRI), the chronic malnutrition rate among Filipino children aged
0 to 2 is at 26.2 percent, the highest in 10 years.

As a solution to the increasing number in malnutrition rate in the country the

“Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act “(R.A 11037) is signed to
address the problem in malnutrition among Filipino children in day care centers,
kindergarten, and elementary. Under the law, the government shall provide a
supplemental feeding program for day care children, a school-based feeding program
for public school children from kinder to grade 6, a milk-feeding program, a
micronutrients feeding program health examinations, vaccinations, and deworming
among others (PNA, 2018).

As a student and a member of the community of Caloocan City the concern for
the members of the community who are experiencing malnutrition is the reason for
conducting this, to be involved and to help provide information regarding the issue on
malnutrition. With our combined interest on the subject matter, we wish to assess the
effectiveness of the Republic Act 11037 in the selected barangay.
 University of Caloocan City
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 2
BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Republic Act No.11037 or also known as the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa

Batang Pilipino Act” aims to address hunger and undernutrition among Filipino children
in public schools.

Under Republic Act no. 11037, Sec. 3(d), “National Government Agencies
which refers to Department of Education (DEPED) and Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) will be the leading agencies in the implementation of the
program for public kindergarten and elementary schools and public day care centers,
respectively.”

According to R.A 11037, sec. 4, the national feeding program shall have the
following components:

 Supplemental Feeding Program for Day Care Children

 School-Based Feeding Program
 Milk Feeding Program
 Micronutrients Supplements
 Health Examination, Vaccination and Deworming
 Gulayan sa Paaralan
 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
 Integrated Nutrition Education

Under sec. 5 of this act, “...the NGA’s concerned shall prioritize the
implementation of the Program in the LGUs and public day care or elementary
schools that meet any of the following criteria: (a) with the highest prevalence of
undernutrition and nutrient-deficiency among children aged three (3) years up to
grade six (6) level;(b) with available facilities or capability to implement the program;
or (c) which prioritize such Program in their locality and are willing to provide
counterpart resources for its implementation.”
 University of Caloocan City
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 3
BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

According to Republic Act 11037, Sec. 7, LGU’s shall assist the NGAs in the
efficient and effective implementation of the program in accordance with sec. 4 of
this act and shall be authorized to use a portion of the Special Education Fund
(SEF) and/or their twenty percent (20%) development fund as provided for in
Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, as
amended, to augment the appropriations available under the General
Appropriations Act (GAA).

Researchers Would like to assess the effectiveness of the Republic Act 11037
or the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act” in Barangay 178 to
determine if there is a significant change in its undernutrition rate after the
implementation of the R.A 11037 and if the local programs for nutrition is suitable
for resolving undernutrition in the area.
 University of Caloocan City
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 4
BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study will assess the effectiveness of R.A 11037 or the “Masustansyang
Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act” in Barangay 180, Caloocan City in order to
enhance local nutrition programs.

It specifically will answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Income level
1.4 Health Status

2. What nutritional program are provided to the selected residence of barangay

180 in terms of :
2.1 Public Elementary Schools
2.2 Kindergarten
2.3 Barangay Health Worker (BHW)
2.4 Barangay Health Centers

3. Is there a significant change in the undernutrition rate in barangay 180 after the
implementation of R.A 11037?

4. What issues and problems confronts the implementation of nutrition programs

in barangay 180?
 University of Caloocan City
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 5
BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The study is significant to various sections of the community:

To National Nutrition Council (NNC) – the result of this study will help the agency in

determine the effectiveness nutritional programs in local government unit and may be

used as an instrument on determining new programs.

To Caloocan City Nutrition Council – the findings of this study will determine whether

the program given by the local government is effective and the result may also be

useful in determining the root of the problem.

To the Barangay officer – the result of this study will determine if there is significant

change in the status of undernutrition rate in the locality and be used as a reference

for conducting new policies.

To the Residents – the residents may find this study useful in knowing what particular

policies and programs their barangay has, particularly on nutritional programs, it may

also raise awareness on the effects of undernutrition in the locality.

To The University of Caloocan City (UCC) – the study will be significant to the faculty

of the Political Science Department because they may be able to propose the result to

the proper authorities

 University of Caloocan City
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 6
BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

To The University of Caloocan City’s Political Science Department Students –

the study will help students gain knowledge about the current issue on nutrition in the

community and to raise their awareness about the effects of policies that are being

adapted in order to resolve these problems in the community.

To Future Researchers - this study can be used as a reference for future studies

regarding the R.A 11037 and its effectiveness in the selected area of study.
 University of Caloocan City
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 7
BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This research was mainly focused on the assessment on the effectiveness of

Republic Act 11037 also known as the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang

Pilipino Act” in barangay 180, Caloocan City in connection to implemented programs

in the barangay in how resolve the issues regarding the undernutrition in the

community and to determine the policies about nutrition that needs to be improved.

HYPOTHESIS

Ho: There is no significant difference in the undernutrition rate in barangay 180

after the implementation of the Republic Act 11037.