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 18
th
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 26
th
day of December, 1985.



ERIC C. NUBLA
Commissioner



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