BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 14 (PIA) - - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is enjoining Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region to adopt the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2011-2016.

The PPAN is the country’s national framework plan on nutrition which will contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) specifically in addressing extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

The DILG is encouraging LGUs to designate a nutrition action officer, with adequate office and staff support that include district/city nutrition program coordinator (D/CNPCs), and provide opportunities for continuous capacity building and development for the nutrition staff said Jocelyn Rojo of DILG-CAR.

Moreover, it also enjoins local officials to implement programs, projects, and activities to achieve nutrition targets such as promotion of desirable infant and young child feeding practices, micronutrient program, home and community food production, integrated management of severe and moderate acute malnutrition, supplementary feeding, nutrition education and other nutrition related projects.

DILG directed its regional directors and field officers to provide assistance to the regional offices of the National Nutrition Council to facilitate effective LGU action.

Likewise, all LGUs are enjoined to submit semestral report to the office of Undersecretary for Local Government through the Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD) on actions taken to implement these concerns. (JDP/MC-PIA CAR)