Pasig City’s triumphant journey toward significant reduction in malnutrition among preschool and school children did not come without challenges. The husband and wife team of former City Mayor and now First Lady Maribel A. Eusebio and incumbent City Mayor Robert C. Eusebio, faced those challenges squarely and ensured that nutrition is a top priority program of the city government.
The Eusebio couple made sure that their City Nutrition Committee (CNC) is active and functional and together, they worked hard to reduce malnutrition in the city. Guided by a common vision of a well-nourished Pasig City, the multi-sectoral CNC planned and implemented a comprehensive nutrition program.
The CNC, recognizing the importance of good nutrition during the first 1,000 days of the child, implemented a GAD-funded “First 1000 days of Life” Program. The program provided a comprehensive package of services during the most critical period in the growth and development of the child. Iron with folic acid supplements and breastfeeding counseling services were provided to pregnant women and post-partum mothers by trained breastfeeding support groups (BFSGs). Pasig City Government also put up breastfeeding stations/corners at the city hall and all health centers, hospitals and lying-in clinics to support breastfeeding mothers by providing them friendly spaces for breastfeeding and or expressing breastmilk. Mothers with infants are counselled on complementary feeding and given food demonstrations on how to prepare safe, appropriate and nutritious complementary foods at home.
Various supplementary feeding programs were conducted in all barangays to improve food intake of children especially those found to be underweight and wasted during Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus. These include the Supervised Neighborhood and Play and Day Care Feeding Program of DSWD, Hapag-asa Integrated Nutrition and Feeding Program of CARITAS and barangay-funded feeding programs. Identification and referral of beneficiaries to these feeding programs were done by the City Nutrition Office to avoid duplication of targets and maximize resources. The Task Force Nutrition composed of Nutritionist-Dietitians and Barangay Nutrition Scholars monitors regularly these feeding programs.
One of the banner programs of the city government for several years now is the Tsibug Pampalusog School-based Feeding Program. Nutritious meals are provided daily to all thin/ wasted Kinder to Grade 6 pupils in all the 28 public elementary schools in Pasig. Corollary activities integrated in this program include the Tuberculosis in Children Program, Food for School/Rice Distribution Program and the supplementation of high-dose Vitamin A capsules and multivitamins with iron.
Various nutrition education activities are conducted regularly in all barangays and schools such as the mascot presentation in the Lingap Bulilit Project; Buntis Caravan; film showings; nutrition story-telling sessions; and distribution of nutrition information and communication materials. The 10 Kumainments, Pinggang Pinoy and the First 1000 Days messages are emphasized in these nutrition education activities.
The city government invested on reprinting of various nutrition IEC materials for distribution to target participants of different nutrition programs.
Pasig Green City’s Urban Vegetable Gardening Program provides impoverished families with a sustainable source of inexpensive, organically grown vegetables using kitchen wastes as compost. Vegetable gardens have been established all over the city – at the city hall rooftop, barangays, schools, at RAVE Park. This program not only helps improve household food security but also provides livelihood and reduces wastes. Barangay residents including school children also earn by collecting empty plastic containers. The city government buys these to be used for the vegetable gardening program.
Various health facilities were constructed/ upgraded. Four (4) super health centers with birthing facilities, laboratory, and ultrasound were constructed in 2016. Breastfeeding corners are available in these facilities. The Pasig City General Hospital which is currently undergoing renovation will soon have its own human milk bank.
In its desire to promote healthy lifestyle and prevent non-communicable diseases, physical fitness activities are promoted in all barangays. Zumba groups namely Maerobics and Zumbobby were organized in all barangays. Zumbulilit exercises are conducted in all day care centers. A Fitness Gym was also constructed at the Pasig City RAVE Park. Bike for Life spearheaded by Mayor Robert C. Eusebio is regularly held and participated in by Pasig City Bikers.
These activities are just among the many programs of the city which are meant to significantly reduce all forms of malnutrition. Guided by its slogan “Serbisyong Totoo at Serbisyong May Puso”, the City Government of Pasig will no doubt attain its goal of having a healthy, well-nourished and productive Pasigueños.
Written by: Ms. Marissa C. Almario, Nutrition Officer III, Pasig City
Ms. Almario is a member of the Regional Nutrition Speakers’ Bureau and City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators of Metro Manila Association, Inc.
* Pasig City was the recipient of the 2016 Green Banner Award and Most Efficient LGU in Nutrition Program Implementation and Management Award during the 2017 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) on July 28, 2017 at Novotel Hotel, Quezon City.
* Article was included in the 2017 RNAC Souvenir Program
