July 02, 2014 – The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) kicked off nutrition month celebration through a forum held at Kabugao, Apayao in partnership with the Municipal Government and the Provincial Government of Apayao.

RNC representative from the DOH, DILG, POPCOM, Dep-Ed and NNC took 14 hours of travel(one way) for this activity attended by around 100 nutrition stakeholders from the Provincial Nutrition Committee members of Apayao , Municpal Nutrition Committee memebers of Kabugao and Members of the Barangay Nutrition Committees. The RNC also invited LGU partners from Baguio City, Ifugao and Benguet particulary Kapangan.

This kick off activity in Kabugao, one of the municipalities in the region with high in malnutrition prevalence and among the farthest municipalities from the regional center demonstrates the RNC’s commitment to its mission to converge efforts, programs and projects on nutrition prioritizing the nutritionally at risk areas in collaboration with local government units.

NPC Papey, Municipal Nutrition Coordinator Dr PJ Ukkong and Apayao DNPC Henschel discussed the local nutrition situation. Dr Mary Jo Dulawan, Provincial Health Office and Provincial Nutrition Action Plan of Ifugao, Barangay Captain Hon Richard Baguilat of Tuplac Kiangan, and Magdalena Sacpa, 2013 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar all from LGUs awarded for oustanding performance in nutrition shared their experiences in managing local nutrition programs. DILG representative Jocelyn Rojo presented the Legal mandates on Nutrition while ms Angelita Sabado, City Nutrition Program Coordinator presented the Nutrition talking points.

All speakers stressed the need to improve the nutrition situation underscoring the role of provincial, municipal and barangay nutrition committees and the need for collabaoration among members of the local committees.

“High Malnutrition is considered as a silent emergency that makes the population doubly vulnerable in times of emergencies and ensuring that local nutrition committees get organized to act on the situation is a key step to preparedness for addressing nutrition emergencies” was the summary statement made by NPC Papey in her closing remarks.

Representatives from the PNC, MNC and BNCs expressed their commitment to push further the implementation of intervetnions to improve nutrition status in Kabugao.