Nutrition and Dietetics
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10862 “Nutrition and Dietetics Law of 2016”
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS IN THE PHIUPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1286, KNOWN AS THE “NUTRITION AND DIETETICS DECREE OF 1977”, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES
As early as 1939, attempts had been made to start a nutrition program at the University of the Philippines. The initiative was resumed in 1946, with the offering of a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, Major in Food and Nutrition at the UP College of Education, Department of Home Economics. The first five graduates of 1948 left for the United States for Dietetic internships and graduate programs.
The first breakthrough in the recognition of dietetics as a profession came with the creation of the Dietetics Department at the Philippine General Hospital in 1952. In 1955, the Dietetic Association of the Philippines was incorporated to answer the need to organize the increasing number of dietitians entering the profession.
Republic Act No. 2674, entitled “An Act to Regulate the Practice of Dietetics in the Philippines,” was passed in 1960, with the first Board Examiners being appointed in 1961. Prior to the enactment of the law, special qualifying examinations were administered by the Civil Service Commission, at the request of government dietitians who wished to avail of civil service benefits. In 1978, realizing the demand for nutrition graduates in areas other than hospital dietetics, the Dietetic Association of the Philippines worked towards the signing of Presidential Decree No. 1286, entitled “Regulating the Practice of Nutrition and Dietetics in the Philippines, and for other Purposes,” to repeal Republic Act 2674. The name of the bona fide professional association was likewise changed from Dietetic Association of the Philippines (DAP) to Nutritionist-Dietitian’s Association of the Philippines (NDAP).
In 1980, the Nutritionists-Dietitians’ Association initiated Continuing Professional Education as a requirement for renewal to Active Membership. This activity was turned over to the PRC – Continuing Professional Education Council.
The peak in the curve of entrants into the profession was reached in the mid sixties. Graduates continued to apply for internship and graduate programs in the US, and the number of schools offering 4-year degree programs continued to increase. To insure that the recommended curriculum would be adopted, and to assist in monitoring the school programs, an Organization called Council of Deans and Heads of Schools offering Nutrition and Dietetics (CODHEND) was organized in 1983. Another milestone in the recognition of nutritionist-dietitian graduates from the Philippines in 1993, is the Reciprocity Agreement between the PRC and the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10862 “Nutrition and Dietetics Law of 2016”
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS IN THE PHIUPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1286, KNOWN AS THE “NUTRITION AND DIETETICS DECREE OF 1977”, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES
Nutritionist-Dietitian's Association of the Philippines (NDAP)
Unit 1106 Herrera Tower, V. A. Rufino St.
Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227
Tel: (632) 8845-1651
Fax: (632) 8753-3598
Website: http://www.ndap.org.ph/
The Nutritionists-Dietitians Association of the Philippines (NDAP), formerly known as the Dietetic Association of the Philippines (DAP), was established on February 21, 1955.
In 1959, the then DAP began efforts to gain membership in the International Dietetic Association (IDA), culminating in its accreditation in the mid-sixties. In 1960, the DAP led the successful effort which required all hospitals to employ licensed dietitians.
On February 25, 1978 the DAP changed its name to NDAP in accordance with Presidential Decree 1286 or the “Nutrition and Dietetics Decree of 1977.”
Among the objectives of the Association are:
- to promote the professional growth of members of the Association to enable them to maintain high standards of professional practice in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics;
- to foster personal dedication, involvement and a sense of identification with the Association
- and to contribute to national development by supporting national policies and coordinating with entities involved in food, nutrition, dietetics and allied fields.
The NDAP also seeks to promote public consciousness of the role of the nutritionist-dietitian in improving health; to initiate and support legislation on matters concerning the profession as well as the rights of individual members in relation to the practice of the profession; to provide opportunities for communication and information exchange among members; and to promote relations with national and international organizations in food, nutrition and allied fields.
The NDAP has established linkages with various national dietetic associations abroad through the International Congress of Dietetics. Accredited by the PRC on July 22, 1976, it was adjudged as the “Most Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization” in 1996.
Qualification of Board Members
There is hereby created a Board of Nutrition and Dietetics, herein referred to as the Board under the Commission. It shall be composed of a Chairman and two members, all to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commission from among nutritionist- dietitians of recognized standing in the Philippines, nominated by the accredited professional organization of nutritionist- dietitians in the Philippines and who, at the time of their appointment, shall:
- Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;
- Be at least thirty (30) years of age, and of good moral character;
- Be a holder of a bachelor, masters or doctorate degree conferred by a reputable and legally constituted school, college, or university with nutrition, dietetics community nutrition or Public Nutrition as their major field of study;
- Have at least five (5) years experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics, immediately prior to his appointment;
- Be a registered nutritionist-dietitian except the members of the first Board who should be registered dietitians;
- Not be a member of the faculty of any school, college, or university, conferring a bachelor’s degree with nutrition, dietetics or community nutrition as a major study at the time of appointment nor during the year immediately preceding appointment as member of the Board. Neither should she have any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in such institution.
