The House of Representatives Committee on Rural Development has moved to consolidate two house bills that aim to institutionalize the Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI) during its meeting on the BIDANI bills on 02 March 2020.
House Bill 3030, authored by Rep. Wilter “Sharky” Palma II and House Bill 6130, filed by Rep. Victor Yap, will be consolidated, and a substitute bill will be crafted by the House committee.
The meeting on the BIDANI bills was attended by representatives from BIDANI-implementing state universities and colleges (SUCs), including University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Isabela State University (ISU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Bicol University (BU), Visayas State University (VSU), Batangas State University (BATSTATEU), and University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP).
BIDANI Network presents accomplishments
Prof. Angelina dR. Felix, BIDANI Network Program Leader, presented a special report on the accomplishments of BIDANI, where she revealed the various milestones of the program in terms of national policy, the academe, local governance, and nutrition improvement. Some of these milestones include the involvement of BIDANI at the National Nutrition Council Technical Committee (NNC TechCom), and regional and local nutrition committees; integration of BIDANI in the instruction, research, and extension trilogy of functions of SUCs; capacity building in local governance of the people, by the people, and for the people; and improvement of nutritional status of children in BIDANI-implementing communities.
She also highlighted the dedication of BIDANI-implemeneting SUCs in doing their work despite meager resources. “We continue to serve more than 700 communities … just imagine the dedication and the commitment that are being displayed by the different personnel of [BIDANI-implementing] state universities and colleges,” she said.
Prof. Felix also expressed that moving forward, BIDANI will “continue to be partners of our communities in terms of promoting nutrition improvement through a holistic approach of local governance.”
Member SUCs express support to BIDANI bills
The SUCs present during the meeting had also put on record their support to the BIDANI bills.
Dr. Pedrita Medrano, University Director for Extension and Training, Isabela State University recommended to pass the BIDANI Bill and later enact it into law to provide mandatory budget for BIDANI to all SUCs under the regular annual General Appropriations Act under Extension Services.
Dr. Lester Narvaez, Director of the Extension Management Division, Bicol University expressed BU’s strong support for the establishment of BIDANI as a nutrition-in-development research program involving SUCs and community colleges and the provision of funds for the program.
Prof. Ma. Aurora Tabada, Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies, Visayas State University said that the passage of the BIDANI Bill is earnestly sought for efficient and effective implementation of the basic services for local good governance and ultimately improved nutrition and general well-being of the Philippine populace.
Dr. Eugenia Baltazar, BIDANI Program Leader of the Central Luzon State University stated that with the CLSU experience in implementing BIDANI, it showed that it is a viable model to strengthen the self-determination of local communities in development.
Prof. Armando Mendoza, Jr. of Batangas State University said that the reality of achieving the goals and objectives of BIDANI program still relies in the strong mandate that will prioritize its implementation to better serve the underserved, marginalized, and underprivileged. He stated that BATSTATEU fully supports the bill.
Dr. Fernando Magdato, Jr. of University of Southeastern Philippines reported that at present, they have a partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro and Provincial Women Development Center. PWDC provided the USeP with budget to implement BIDANI.
– Guien Eidrefson Garma