REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA

MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABON
BARANGAY CRUZ

OFFICE OF THE PUNONG BARANGAY

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 25

SERIES OF 2025

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING INSTITUTIONALIZING THE MOTHER TO MOTHER SUPPORT

GROUP (BARANGAY F1KD) AND NUTRITION SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS FOR PREGNANT
WOMEN, LACTATING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN 0-23 MONTHS DURING THE FIRST 1000
DAYS (F1KD)

I. Situationer

WHEREAS, in the Philippines one in five pregnant women are nutritionally at risk and the same
proportion is also anemic which not only affects the growth of the fetus inside the womb but also puts
them at risk of deadly complications during childbirth.

WHEREAS, over 12% of babies had low weights at birth and could continue to become underweight
and stunted in early childhood. Only one in four infants are exclusively breastfed which deprives them
of the essential nutrition needed to support optimal growth until 5 months of age.

WHEREAS, over 88% of children aged 6-23 months are not fed the minimum acceptable diet needed to
further support rapid growth. About 43% of children aged 6-11 months are anemic and close to this
proportion are already stunted by the time they reach 2 years of age.

WHEREAS, stunting affects brain development and is already irreversible beyond this age. The
devastating effects on the physical and mental development of both stunting and iron deficiency anemia
prevent individuals from reaching their full potential and lead to lower productivity as adults.
II. Policy and Principles

WHEREAS, in response to the gravity of the nutrition situation in the country, the National Nutrition
Council launched the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028 which provides the blueprint for
effective country actions at national and local levels to deliver targeted nutritional outcomes on reduced
wasting and stunting among children under 5 years of age and reduced micronutrient deficiencies,
particularly anemia.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Mandanas-Garcia Ruling approved by the Supreme Court on July 3, 2018 and
implemented in 2022, significantly increased the fiscal resources available to LGUs by expanding their
share of national government tax revenues. This ruling has significant implications for local government
units (LGUs), as it directs the full devolution of certain funds and strengthens their autonomy and
empowerment. LGUs have a greater capacity to fund and prioritize critical services, including the First
1,000 Days initiatives, mother-to-mother support groups, micronutrient supplementation, early
childhood care, and facility-based improvements for maternal and child health. LGUs can utilize the
additional funds to enhance and implement comprehensive nutrition plans that target malnutrition,
promote breastfeeding, and improve dietary diversity among vulnerable populations. Resources can also
be allocated for training health workers and expanding outreach to disadvantaged communities.
WHEREAS, the two important past policies 2018 Memorandum Circulars in the First 1,000 Days
Ordinance namely:

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 1. Memorandum Circular 2018-42: the “Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action
for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022” has been updated to PPAN 2023-2028, focuses on combating
stunting, addressing child food poverty, and promoting diverse and healthy diets for children and
families, which align with the goals of the First 1,000 Days initiative.

2. Local Budget Memorandum No. 77: the “FY 2019 Internal Revenue Allotment and Guidelines on the
Preparation of the FY 2019 Budgets of Local Government Units”. Although this memorandum was
specifically for FY 2019, its principles concerning prioritizing nutrition in local budgets are still aligned
with the expectations under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling. This landmark law expands local government
units' responsibilities and budgets, making it crucial to emphasize the local governments' role in
implementing nutrition interventions. In accordance with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-42,
LGUs are enjoined to prioritize the allocation of local funds the PPAs included in their respective local
nutrition action plans.

WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH)- NNC had already adopted the strategy of the First 1,000
Days (F1KD) for the integrated delivery of evidence-based maternal, newborn, and child health and
nutrition interventions and in the preparation of local nutrition action plans.

III. Nutrition Specific Interventions in the First 1,000 Days

In consonance with the DILG Memorandum Circular 2018-42 and DBM Local Budget Memorandum
No. 77, this local ordinance shall aim to support the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN)
2023-2028 with the implementation of the following critical nutrition-specific interventions in the First
1,000 Days targeting pregnant women, lactating mothers and children 0-23 months age and beyond 59
months.

A. Establishment and Operationalization of the Barangay F1KD

The Barangay F1KD, a mother-to-mother nutrition and breastfeeding support, composed of ALL
pregnant women and mothers/caregivers of children 0-23 months shall be established in the barangay. The
BF1KD shall serve as the platform for the delivery of enhanced nutrition interventions at the barangay to
include:

 Nutrition education and skills building for behavior change.

 Tracking of clients for infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF), MMS consumption,
Vitamin A supplementation, and deworming.
 Distribution/resupply of nutrition commodities to include MMS supplements, Vitamin A
supplements, and deworming.

The BF1KD shall complement services delivered in fixed health facilities to help expand and accelerate
nutrition actions at the barangay level. BF1KD operations shall follow the guidance described in the
BF1KD Operational Guide.

To establish and operationalize the BF1KD, the following actions shall be undertaken:

1. The MHO and MNAO to conduct briefing for Barangay Captains on the establishment of the
BF1KD.
2. Barangays to officially create the BF1KD through the issuance of a Barangay Resolution (adopting
the Municipal Ordinance on BF1KD) and to provide (counterpart) funding for recurrent cost for:
a. the conduct of the once to twice a month meeting.
b. traveling expenses of BHW and BNS to participate in the monthly Nutrition Review
Meetings
3. Barangay Captains to designate a dedicated BHW for nutrition (selected and recommended by the
midwife) to serve, together with the BNS, as co-facilitators of the BF1KD.
4. BHW and BNS to regularly update (monthly) the barangay masterlist of pregnant women, and
mothers with children aged 0-59 mos.
5. Barangay Captain, together with the midwife, to initially convene a barangay meeting to
inform/orient the community on the BF1KD. Alternative venues to inform targeted clients of
BF1KD may be explored.

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 6. Midwife to regularly update the Barangay Captain and the BNC on the operations of the BF1KD.

B. Conduct of Behaviour Change Intervention (BCI) Activities

Pregnant women, and mothers with children aged 0-23 months and beyond 59 months are at the center of
nutrition actions at the community level. The success of nutrition interventions in the F1KD will largely
depend on their adoption of and/or maintenance of desired nutrition behaviours.

Behaviour change intervention activities (nutrition education and skills building) shall be carried out as
part of the BF1KD meetings, following the BF1KD Facilitator Guide (annexed to the BF1KD Operational
Guide). The support group will meet once to twice a month, co-facilitated by the designated BHW and
BNS and supervised by the midwife.

Mothers will be encouraged to discuss nutrition-related challenges, share information/knowledge, and

experiences and insights on how to solve common nutrition-related problems.

The following actions shall be undertaken to implement BCI activities:

1. A pool of trainers on BF1KD (from selected provincial and municipal staff) shall be developed to
support capacity building activities.
2. Designated co-facilitators of the BF1KD in the barangay (BHW and BNS) together with their
supervising midwife shall undergo the BF1KD training.
3. Municipal trainers shall conduct post-training mentoring and coaching activities at the barangay
level to further support capacity building of trained health workers.
4. The BF1KD Facilitators Guide (annexed to the BF1KD Operational Guide), flipchart, tracking tool,
and MMS tracker shall be made available to all BF1KD co-facilitators.
5. When needed, the MHO, MNAO, Nurse or Midwife shall be invited to serve as resource person for
selected nutrition topics to be discussed in the BF1KD meetings.
6. The Municipal Health Office shall make available BCI materials (e.g. complimentary feeding
brochure, IYCN counseling cards) needed in the conduct of the BF1KD nutrition education and
skills building sessions. The MHO may request additional support printing/reproduction of BCI
materials from the Provincial Health Office

C. Conduct of Tracking Activities to support BF1KD meetings

Clients enrolled in the BF1KD, starting with pregnant women, shall be followed to childbirth and until
their child reaches 59 months old to help ensure the delivery of the continuum of services in the F1KD.
Pregnant women shall be tracked for compliance with scheduled pre-natal check-ups, exclusive BF
among lactating mothers, and IYCF practices including consumption of nutrition commodities (MMS,
VAS+D). Tracking information shall be used to support case management, identifying and addressing
problems or difficulties encountered by defaulting clients. Conduct of tracking activities shall follow
procedures contained in the Tracking System.

The following actions shall be undertaken to implement tracking activities:

1. The Barangay shall ensure that tracking forms shall be made available to the BF1KD Co-facilitators
and the midwife. Recurrent costs for these forms shall be budgeted by the Municipal Health Office.
2. The Municipal Health Office shall ensure that job aids (MMS tracker) shall be available for
distribution to and use by pregnant women and mothers with children 0-23 months and beyond 59
months. Recurrent costs for these job aids shall be budgeted by the Municipal Health Office.
3. When needed, the BHW and BNS shall conduct home visits to follow up on mothers defaulting to
attend the BF1KD sessions.
4. The Barangay Health Station/Midwife shall provide access to existing TCLs and FHSIS data already
collected in the barangay.

D. Conduct of Quarterly MNC and monthly BNC Meetings

The MNC quarterly meetings chaired by the Municipal Mayors and BNC Meetings shall be jointly
convened monthly by the Municipal Health Officer (MHO) and the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer
(MNAO) with BFIKD Co-Facilitators and other RHU Staff as participants.

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 The meeting will serve as the venue to:

 Review and analyze data submitted by midwives and consolidated by FHSIS coordinator.
 Promote accountability of barangays for nutrition targets/deliverables.
 Identify challenges/constraints and recommend course of action.
 Promote sharing of positive experiences and insights from barangays.
 Prepare updated presentation to the Municipal Nutrition Committee and Barangay Nutrition
Committee Meetings.

The following actions shall be undertaken to conduct the Monthly BNC or Nutrition Meetings:

1. Participation of BF1KD Co-Facilitators (transportation expenses) shall be supported by the

Barangays.
2. Recurrent costs for the conduct of the meeting shall be budgeted by the municipality.
3. The FHSIS nurse shall be trained on the BF1KD Tracking System.

4. The BF1KD Tracking summary reports submitted by midwives shall be consolidated/encoded by the
FHSIS Coordinator (Nurse) and the dashboard prepared and presented during the meeting.
5. Analysis of BF1KD Dashboard shall be done and the quarterly summary report shall be prepared by
the MHO/MNAO for presentation to the Municipal Nutrition Committee Meeting.

IV. Partners/Stakeholders Roles and Responsibilities

To ensure the successful implementation of this ordinance, the following identified partners
and/or stakeholders shall discharge the corresponding roles and responsibilities:

Barangay Nutrition Council (BNC). The BNC shall:

1. Convene barangay meetings for the initial organization of the Barangay F1KD.
2. Ensure that a permanent BNS and BHWs are assigned as Co-Facilitators of the Barangay F1KD.
3. Ensure Barangay F1KD activities are integrated in the Barangay Work and Financial Plan to be
submitted to the Barangay Council to include provision of the meeting venue, transport of
participants from distant locations (if needed), and snacks during the BF1KD meetings.
4. Provide oversight in the implementation of Barangay F1KD activities.

Municipal Nutrition Council (MNC). The MNC shall:

1. Conduct planning, implementation, monitoring, and supervision activities for the establishment and
operationalization of the Barangay F1KD.
2. Ensure that the Barangay F1KD activities are integrated in the annual MNAPs and with
corresponding budgetary allocation included in the Annual Investment Plan (AIP).
3. Submit reports regularly to the Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) on the status of Barangay F1KD
implementation.

Municipal Health Office (MHO). The MHO, in collaboration with the MNAO, shall:

1. Support capacity building activities on BF1KD for nurses, midwives, BHWs, and BNS.
2. Coordinate with the Provincial Health Office for the timely delivery of needed MMS supplements,
VAS+D, and immediate distribution of these commodities to respective barangays.
3. Propose a budget for supplementary feeding for nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and
complimentary feeding for children 6-23 months and beyond 59 months old.
4. Provide regular feedback to the MNC meeting.

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V. Appropriations

The Municipal Government shall allocate funding to support the implementation of this ordinance. A
minimum of five (5%) of the Internal Revenue Allocation or from its annual budget shall be set aside for
this purpose.
Mobilization of funds from other mandated appropriations that are relevant for the implementation of
identified nutrition interventions shall also be conducted in support of the Barangay F1KD.
For each Barangay, there shall be a regular appropriation of funds of not less than 0.5% from its annual
and/or supplemental budget to support the administrative and operational needs of the Barangay Nutrition
Committee and the BF1KD.
Funding for other nutrition-sensitive interventions should be sourced and appropriated from the regular
budget of the respective agencies
VI. Separability Clause/applicability clause

If any portion of this Ordinance will be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining
provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. All other matters relating to the impositions or
regulations provided in this ordinance shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of existing laws and
other ordinances. This ordinance shall apply to all the people within the territorial jurisdiction of Bongabon,
barangays, and to all persons, who may be subject to the provisions of this ordinance.

VII. Repealing Clause

All ordinances, resolutions, executive orders, and other issuances which are inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
VIII. Effectivity, This ordinance shall take effect immediately.

Done this 03RD day of FEBRUARY, 2025 in Barangay Cruz, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

Approved by:

HON.EDGARDO O. MORALES
Punong Barangay

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