The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance to the conduct of the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) on 03 December 2018. The 2019 ENNS is Phase II of the three-year project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

The survey aims to provide updated information on the nutritional status of Filipinos for planning nutrition and development programs, and for timely policy decisions at the national and subnational levels. Specifically, the objectives of the survey are the following:

• Assess the nutritional status of children and other age/population groups using anthropometric indicators of physical growth
• Assess the nutritional status of various population groups using biochemical indicators
• Determine the prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors
• Determine the following:
  • food  intake and plate waste at the household and individual level
  • magnitude and scope of food insecurity among households
  • participation of households and individuals in selected health and nutrition related programs
  • changes in feeding practices of infants and young children, 0-23 months
  • maternal nutrition and health status among mothers with 0-36-month-old children and pregnant women
• Describe the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of households and individuals

The ENNS will provide data on household and per capita food consumption as well as basis for regional menus, poverty calculation, Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI), Desirable Dietary Patterns, and food production targets. Results from the survey will also be used as premise for policy decisions/directions and specifically serve as inputs to the following national plans and programs:

• Medium Term Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (MTPPAN)
• Philippine Development Plan
• Poverty Alleviation Programs
• Food Fortification and Supplementation Programs
• Philippine Coalition for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases

The survey will utilize a total budget of Php 320 million to cover expenses for personal services and maintenance and other operating expenses.

Data collection will start in January to December 2019 and the results of the survey are expected to be released in 2020. The survey was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

• ensure sound design for data collection;
• minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
• effect economy in statistical data collection;
• eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
• achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

On 09 May 2018, the PSA Board issued PSA Board Resolution No. 06, s. 2018 (Approving and Adopting the Survey Design of the Expanded National Nutrition Survey) approving the methodology of the conduct of the ENNS. In line with this, the public are enjoined to support the said statistical activity. Further, the PSA is only mandated to review and clear the survey materials through the SSRCS.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 376-1928 and (02) 376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com

LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) page.