City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators (C/DNPCs) in Metro Manila pledge their commitment in moving the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 forwardfor better nutrition in the region during the 32nd Annual C/DNPC Regional Conference held on October 26, 2017 at the H2O Hotel in Manila.
The conference with the theme, “Moving PPAN Forward for Better Nutrition: Sa PPAN, panalo ang bayan!”, aimed to inform the participants on the PPAN, its thrusts, strategic directions and programs in achieving the targeted nutrition outcomes. It was attended by 110 C/DNPCs and guests from the 17 local government units in Metro Manila except San Juan City.
Resource speakers who are experts in their respective fields were invited to discuss the following topics: 1.) Moving the PPAN Forward – Making Things Happen (Ms. Maria Lourdes A. Vega, Chief, Nutrition Policy and Planning Division, NNC); 2) Nutrition Assessment and Support for Pregnant Women (Ms. Soccoro Alma F. Gammad, Nutrition Officer IV, Makati City Nutrition Office); 3) The National Dietary Supplementation Program (Ms. Dianne Kristine P. Cornejo, Nutrition Officer III, NPPD, NNC); 4) Behavior Change Communication for Nutrition (Dr. Ma. Socorro E. Ignacio, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, College of Public Health, UP-Manila); and 5) Coping with Stress and Changes at Work (Bro. Renato “Eng” M. Si, Feast Builder, Quezon City).
At the end of the conference, participants were better informed on the PPAN; learned how to identify targets and procedures in providing dietary supplementation; assess nutritional status of pregnant women and identify the nutritional needs and support during pregnancy; explain the behavior change and communication process; describe the effective strategies in promoting nutrition for behavior change and desirable nutrition outcomes; and enumerate different ways of handling and managing stress and coping with pressure and frustration at work.
In her opening message, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo reminded the C/DNPCs that as nutrition workers, program managers, and advocates, they all share the responsibility of saving children against all forms of malnutrition.
“Problem of hunger and malnutrition still persists – the nutrition landscape in our country has not changed that much through the years. Wasting, stunting, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity continue to afflict millions of children all over the country. I challenged every member of the Association to remain steadfast in your commitment in working for nutrition improvement in your respective communities. We just have to do things the right way and make them happen. Together, let us move PPAN forward. Dahil sa PPAN, panalo ang bayan.” NPC Federizo emphasized.
Also, in her keynote message, Congresswoman Bernadette “BH” Herrera-Dy encouraged the C/DNPCs to find a nutrition champion in their city/municipality who can be an advocate of their cause, who will push the nutrition advocacies in their respective areas and invest in the nutrition programs that are very much needed to achieve better nutrition outcomes. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
