The designation of Parañaque City’s First Lady Mrs. Janet A. Olivarez as the City Nutrition Action Officer sparked optimism in the hearts of the nutrition workers and members of the City Nutrition Committee (CNC). Regarded as the mother of nutrition in their city, CNAO Olivarez became instrumental in revitalizing the CNC, ensuring its functionality and in getting the much needed funding support from the city government and other stakeholders.
In 2015, the city government invested Php 4.8 million to their local PPAN implementation. This amount is 23% higher than the previous year’s nutrition budget of Php 3.9 million. CNC Chair and City Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez allocated budget for micronutrient supplements such as iron-folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex and multivitamins for the mothers and undernourished children. Additional budget for nutrition programs was generated through the efforts of CNAO Olivarez in partnership with non-governmental organizations and philanthropists.
The city government also invested in two (2) kitchen mobiles for their nutrition program, particularly their Nutrition in Emergencies initiatives. The kitchen mobiles are brought to the areas affected by calamities. Foods are cooked in the kitchen mobile under the supervision of the city nutritionist to ensure that the meals served to the children in the evacuation area are nutritious and safe. The kitchen mobiles are also used during nutrition outreach activities.
For a more efficient implementation of nutrition programs, the city government hired an additional three (3) nutritionist-dietitians who were assigned in the barangays. They provide technical assistance to the barangay nutrition committees, initiate the implementation of nutrition programs and supervise the Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
The CNC aims to scale up nutrition by implementing a comprehensive nutrition program with a wider reach and improved nutrition services. Preparations for the establishment of a lactation station and kitchen demo room are now on-going.
The strong support and leadership of Mayor Edwin Olivarez and CNAO Janet Olivarez continue to inspire and motivate the nutrition workers and the CNC in delivering better nutrition services for the people of Parañaque City.
Parañaque City was awarded as the Best LGU in Nutrition Investment during the 2016 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony
Written by: Ms. Valentina E. Encabo, Nutrition Officer III and Ms. Mary Dancille D. Villarey, Nutritionist-Dietitian II, Parañaque City
Misses Encabo and Villarey are members of the City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators of Metro Manila Association, Inc. Ms. Villarey is also a member of the NCR Nutrition Writers' Guild.
