The city’s nutrition monitoring team reported a continuous decreasing incidence of undernourished children in Baguio City.

During the Regional Nutrition Evaluators Exit Conference, the team reported to Mayor Mauricio Domogan a steady drop in the number of undernourished children from 4.18 percent last year to 3.47 percent this year.

The development is attributed to the increase in the incentives of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Barangay Nutrition Action Officers (BNAO) , and Barangay Health Workers (BHW), along with the activation of nutrition clusters in every barangay to protect the nutritional well being of the populace and proper use of allocated funds for nutrition.

Passage of resolutions and ordinances on nutrition and nutrition related-activities and sustained involvement of the private sector in Baguio City Nutrition Council (BCNC) are also considered as strengths in curbing malnutrition.

The monitoring team also acknowledged the close coordination of the Barangay Nutrition Committee members and kagawads, BNS, BNAO, BHW, day care workers, Department of Education representatives, and other voluntary groups; the strong leadership of the barangay captains and officials, and the intervention in the Barangay Nutrition Action plan that focuses on malnourished children as major strengths in fighting malnutrition.

The committee also included the conduct of Pabasa sa Nutrisyon, the conduct of various livelihood projects, strengthened implementation of the barangays on Infant and Young Child Feeding program, presence of barangay breastfeeding corners, and creation of IYCF support groups as strengths which helped in the fight against malnutrition. The city government will also be strengthening the vegetable garden program in every barangay by giving free seeds and enhancement trainings from other government agencies on planting will also be conducted to promote healthy living. – Mr. Paul Rillorta, The Baguio Midland Courier