CODE OF ETHICS FOR

NUTRITIONIST- DIETITIANS

PRC Board Resolution No. 95, Circa 1985

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION Manila

BOARD OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Board Resolution No. 95 Series of 1985

CODE OF ETHICS FOR NUTRITIONIST-DIETITIANS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Pursuant to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 2674, as amended, known as the Nutrition and Dietetics Decree of 1977 and Section 6 of P.D. No. 223, this Code of Ethics for Nutritionist-Dietitians in the Philippines is hereby adopted by the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics as part of the Rules and Regulations governing the practice of Nutrition and Dietetics.

ARTICLE I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Section 1. The Nutrition and Dietetics profession has as its primary objective the improvement of the nutritional status of the Filipino people.

Section 2. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall maintain a high regard for the health and general well-being of the Filipino people, unquestionable sense of responsibility, integrity of character, sound judgment and adequate scientific and technical abilities to promote nutrition.

Section 3. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall make available her expertise in the delivery of nutritional and dietetics services to her clients and the community.

Section 4. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall cooporate with other professional and co-workers in allied fields in efforts directed towards the improvement of human life.

Section 5. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall protect the status and highest tenets of the profession.

Section 6. In the discharge of her/his duties and responsibilities the Nutritionist-Dietitians motives, conduct, sense of moral values and ability shall be such as to command the respect and confidence of the people she has pledged to serve and work with.

Section 7. She must be honest and truthful in word, thought and deed, observing the Golden Rules in all human dealings.

ARTICLE II. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CLIENT

Section 1. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall at all times promote the nutritional welfare of the client, whether in a health care institution or in the community.

Section 2. In dealing with the sick in a health care institution or extension thereof, or with the malnourished in a community, the Nutritionist-Dietitian shall secure for them every benefit that may depend upon his professional skill and care.

Section 3. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall refer the malnourished individuals in need of immediate medical or social service to the proper health or social service authorities.

Section 4. In providing nutritional care, the Nutritionist-Dietitian shall promote an environment in which the values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individual are respected.

Section 5. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall keep in confidence all information acquired in the discharge of professional duties.

ARTICLE III. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE COMMUNITY

Section 1. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation, misinformation and unethical practices concerning food, nutrition and diet therapy.

Section 2. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall enlighten the public on the ways and means to good nutrition, and on measures to prevent or rehabilitate malnourished conditions.

Section 3. The Nutritionist-Dietitian must be worthy example of the practice of good personal nutrition.

Section 4. In cooperation with other professionals and co-workers in the community, the Nutritionist-Dietitian shall initiate and support activities to meet the health and nutritional needs of the public.

ARTICLE IV. RESPONSIBILITIES TO CO-WORKERS AND COLLEAGUES

Section 1. The promotion of nutritional well-being involves a multi-disciplinary dimension and hence seeks the cooperation and support from professionals in the health, social and other development sector.

Section 2. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall foster cooperation among allied disciplines and organizations geared towards improving the nutritional condition of the Filipino people.

Section 3. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall serve loyally the organization by whom he/she is employed.

ARTICLE V. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROFESSION

Section 1. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall protect the status and tenets of the profession

Section 2. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall promote and enrich the knowledge and skills necessary in the practice of the profession, and keep abreast with the advances in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Section 3. The Nutritionist-Dietitian must be able to acknowledge and have the courage and humility to accept criticisms and to profit from mistakes.

Section 4. The Nutritionist-Dietitian, acting through the professional organization, shall participate in establishing and maintaining equitable social and economic working conditions for Nutritionist-Dietitians.

Section 5. The Nutritionist-Dietitian shall serve the common good without regard to personal benefit or aggrandizement.

ARTICLE VI. PENAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. The violation of any provision of this Code of Ethics shall constitute unethical and unprofessional conduct and is a sufficient ground for the reprimand, suspension or revocation of the certificate of registration of the offending Nutritionist-Dietitian in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of P.D. No. 1286, the Nutritionist and Dietetics Decree of 1977.

ARTICLE VII. EFFECTIVITY

Section 1. This code of Ethics shall take effect upon approval hereof by the Commission and after fifteen (15) days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of December, 1985.

MA. PATROCINIO E. DE GUZMAN Chairman

ELENA D. OCAMPO VELONA A. CORPUS Member Member

ATTESTED:

SALUD M. SAHAGUN Secretary

Approved as part of the Rules and Regulations governing the practice of Nutrition and Dietetics this 26th day of December, 1985.

ERIC C. NUBLA Commissioner

NUMERIANO TANOPO, JR. DOMICIANO C. NATIVIDAD Associate Commissioner Associate Commissioner