Move the PPAN forward for better nutrition resiliency in the new normal. This was the call to action of the National Nutrition Council – NCR (NNC-NCR) for the big four (4) cities in Metro Manila during the LGU Mobilization Forum held online last November 19, 2020.

The forum was attended by members of the local nutrition committees from the new priority local government units (LGU) of the shepherding project for 2020: Manila, Pasay, Caloocan and Quezon City. These four (4) big cities were chosen as target areas for the project because the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) believes that they can make a significant contribution in the nutrition improvement of the entire region.  The Shepherding Project of the RNC is part of the LGU Mobilization Strategies for the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) which is the country’s blueprint for nutrition improvement.  Members of the NCR Shepherding Team from the Grace Family Helper Project and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority were also present during the forum.

In her message, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo reminded the participants that now more than ever, as we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to double or even triple our efforts in our fight against hunger and malnutrition. The important role of the LGUs as key implementers of the PPAN was emphasized.

“As members of your respective city nutrition committees, your active participation in the planning, implementation and management of your local nutrition programs aligned with the PPAN are vital in the achievement of nutrition outcomes that we aim for, and that is -- to reduce wasting, stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity,” RNPC Federizo said. 

DOH-MMCHD Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores and Chair of the RNC-NCR emphasized in her welcome message that in this time of pandemic, we must ensure that the PPAN is still in place at the national level down to the LGUs. We need to mobilize everyone and ensure that we have resiliency in terms of food security.

“We should be steadfast and ready in responding to any emergencies. With the talent we have and the knowledge that we have, we should share it and help others to become nutrition resilient,” Dr. Flores added.

LGUs are encouraged to invest in nutrition actions to improve the nutrition resiliency of the community.  “There are nutrition policies in place, and we have the PPAN as the blueprint of our actions for nutrition improvement, but, this framework of nutrition actions needs to be translated into concrete programs, projects and activities down to the grassroots level,” RNPC Federizo said.

These are the nutrition actions that LGUs need to invest on especially in the new normal:  1) First 1000 Days Program to reduce and prevent stunting among children; 2) Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM) to treat and rehabilitate severely wasted children; 3) Food Production, Livelihood and Employment Generation Programs (Nutrition-sensitive Programs) to ensure food security in the household; and, 4) Enabling Programs to strengthen governance, capacity and institutions for effective implementation of nutrition programs including Nutrition in Emergencies.

NNC-NCR Emerenciana L. Francia also oriented the participants on the Shepherding Project of the RNC, the activities conducted in 2020 and follow-through activities that will be done in the remaining months of the year until 2021.  

During the sharing of good practices, CNAO Dr. Pecos Camarines of Mandaluyong City emphasized the importance of making their local nutrition committees active and functional both at the city and barangay levels for better implementation of the PPAN. On the other hand, Pasig CNAO Marissa Almario enlightened the participants on their roles as public health nutritionist-dietitians (NDs) as co-drivers of their local nutrition programs and encouraged them to always strive for efficiency and effectiveness.

A highlight of the forum was the sharing of Malabon City Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta who shared his thoughts and experiences in making nutrition one of the priority programs of his administration, and why investing in nutrition and championing its cause are essentials of good governance.

“We need to get everyone motivated, come up with innovations and get the participation of the community to eradicate stunting,” Mayor Oreta emphasized.

The NNC-NCR is optimistic that through this forum, the participants were enlightened and motivated to make their LNCs functional and move the PPAN forward for better nutrition resiliency in the new normal. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)