by Ranell Martin M. Dedicatoria, SEARCA KMU
4-June-2008 SEARCA News Release
No one can fight the battles of life on an empty stomach. Good food equals good governance. Policymakers are realizing this and have included good nutrition as one of the indicators of progress.
The Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI) experience shows how good nutrition can facilitate sustainable development. BIDANI started in 1978 with a vision of developing healthy and well-nourished children to grow as adults who have maximized their potentials.
BIDANI promotes social development through participative planning backed up by state colleges and universities’ (SUCs) extension program. In the BIDANI approach, the project is implemented by the barangay people themselves with the help of government and non-government agencies. This ensures that the projects being conducted are really what the barangay needs.
The BIDANI network has expanded its network through time reaching seven regions in the Philippines through its 36 satellite SUCs. Addressing the four goals of good governance, poverty alleviation, food security, and nutrition improvement, BIDANI has served as catalysts of development over the years.
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Paper presented by Ms. Lorna O. Garcia, University Extension Specialist, University of the Philippines Los Baños during the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) titled Promoting Local Development: the BIDANI experience last 27 May 2008.
