In preparation for the implementation of the Supreme Court (SC) Ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petitions, the National Nutrition Council-NCR conducted a virtual orientation on Executive Order 138 s2021 and DBM Local Budget Memo 82 on July 29, 2021. The advocacy activity was attended by 84 participants from the 17 local government units (LGU) in Metro Manila composed of Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs), city/municipal nutrition coordinators, budget officers, planning officers, and other members of the local nutrition committees.

During the orientation, Innovation Solutions and Urban Governance Section Chief Mr. Raymond Gerard E. De Asis of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-NCR (DILG-NCR), presented the salient features of Executive Order No. 138, s2021 “Devolution of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch to Local Governments, Creation of a Committee on Devolution and for Other Purposes”.

Mr. De Asis emphasized that nutrition programs under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) framework are already devolved under the Local Government Code of 1991 and these should be prioritized when the Mandanas Ruling is implemented by 2022. He also discussed the preparatory activities needed to be done by the national government agencies (NGAs) and LGUs in time for the full implementation of the SC ruling and the devolution of functions by 2022.

OIC-Chief Budget and Management Specialist of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Ms. Katherine B. Castro explained in detail the DBM Local Budget Memorandum No. 82 dated June 14, 2021, which is the guide of the LGUs in the preparation of their annual budgets for FY 2022. 

With the implementation of Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, internal revenue allotment (IRA) shares of the LGUs will have a 27.61% increase from their present 40% share from the national internal revenue taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The additional budget will enable the LGUs to implement and deliver the devolved functions and services.

The LBM No. 82 also enjoins the LGUs to continue providing funds to COVID-19 related programs, projects, activities (PPAs), and expenses. Likewise, Section 2.2.9 of the memorandum enjoins the LGUs to prioritize in the allocation of funds the PPAs included in their respective local nutrition action plans (LNAP). All PPAs stated in EO No. 138 and LBM No. 82 should be included in the LGU’s Annual Investment Program. Lastly, Ms. Castro reminded the LGUs that the deadline of budget submission for FY 2022 is on October 16, 2021.

In view of these developments, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo, in her presentation, encouraged the LGUs to seize the opportunities that the implementation of the Madanas Ruling will bring.  She explained the reasons why the LGU nutrition programs must be strengthened, and the gaps and challenges in the PPAN implementation. She presented the need to hire and deploy additional nutritionist-dietitians and barangay nutrition scholars since the current ratio to population of these nutrition workers in all the 17 LGUs is not within the recommended ratio. She also pointed out the need to have a full-time NAO in every LGU with a separate nutrition office that has adequate staff and nutrition budget.

The LGUs can lobby for the 1) allocation of adequate or increased dedicated budget for local PPAN implementation with focus on the First 1000 Days, 2) creation of permanent plantilla positions for NAOs, nutritionist-dietitians, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and 3) creation of a nutrition office with separate budget for nutrition and dedicated staff both for technical and administrative concerns to strengthen the LNAP implementation. 

“We hope that through this orientation, we will have a common understanding of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, its implications on the implementation of programs and services in the LGUs, and the opportunities that it can bring to strengthen the implementation of local nutrition programs,” RNPC Federizo said in her message. She emphasized that nutrition programs should be a priority of the LGUs since they are the key implementors of the PPAN which is the country’s blueprint in addressing hunger and malnutrition.

The participants were able to ask queries, raise their concerns, and make clarifications during the interactive session. To further assist the LGUs, the DILG will issue an implementing guide in the preparation of the Devolution Transition Plans (DTP) and will conduct consultation dialogues with NGAs and LGUs regarding the implementation of the Mandanas Ruling.

“Sa ating mga LGUs, ating pagsikapan na gawin ang “new normal” into a “better normal” at huwag natin hayaang maiwan ang nutrition program,” RNPC Federizo said in her closing message. She added, “Kailangan natin samantalahin ang mga opportunities na dala ng Mandanas-Garcia Ruling upang madagdagan ang mga resources para matutukan ang tamang nutrisyon lalo na sa First 1000 Days”.  Strengthened PPAN implementation will lead to better nutrition outcomes.

Written by:
Nutrition Officer II Theresa A. Rivas and
Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo

References:

• Executive Order No. 138, 01 June 2021
• DILG-NCR. “DILG-NCR starts discussions on Mandanas-Garcia ruling Implementation,” DILG-NCR Webpage. Accessed August 9, 2021. http://ncr.dilg.gov.ph/home/dilg-ncr-starts-discussions-on-mandanas-garcia-ruling-implementation/