Baguio City—Twenty-two (22) Local Government Units (LGUs) of Pangasinan crafted their respective local nutrition action plans 2020-2022 during the workshop on integrating nutrition in the local development plans held on October 22-25, 2019 at Chalet Hotel, Baguio City.
The workshop was organized by the National Nutrition Council- Regional Office I (NNC-ROI) and the NNC’s Nutrition Policy and Planning Division in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government- Regional Office I (DILG-ROI) with the assistance of consultants from Nutrition International.
Dr. Rosario Pamintuan, Chief of Local Health Support Division of the Department of Health-Center for Development 1 (DOH-CHD1) graced the activity on behalf of Regional Nutrition Committee Chair and DOH-CHD1 Director, Dr. Valeriano Jesus Lopez.
The said workshop is part of the NNC’s LGU mobilization strategy in scaling up nutrition in the remaining years of PPAN implementation focusing the identified Thirty-two (32) PPAN Focused and HDPRC provinces.
Malnutrition rate in the country particularly stunting is still alarming which can cause long-term consequences particularly in terms of poor health and behavior, lost human capital, and decreased economic productivity thus the need for LGUs to invest in nutrition is an urgent call of action to complement the National and Sub-National Government’s efforts.
Focusing on the First 1000 Days of Life which will be the LGUs’ nutrition banner program is the golden window of opportunity to prevent the irreversible effects of stunting and ensure optimal life outcomes.
Mr. Kendall Gatan in wrapping-up the workshop said that reducing, preventing, and ultimately ending all forms of malnutrition is possible through strong local government and sectoral collaboration and support, adequate investments, and appropriate interventions that address the multi-faceted causes of malnutrition.
“Investing in nutrition is investing in people, and is key to sustainable development,” he added.
The 22 LGUs are expected to finalize their nutrition plans and ensure its integration in their updated comprehensive development plans and local development investment programs.
The remaining LGUs of Pangasinan shall also be covered in the coming days with high hopes that all will work harmoniously towards improved nutrition.
The 22 LGUs represented by their local planning and development officers, health officers, agriculture officers and nutrition action officers or their respective representatives include the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, City of Urdaneta, City of San Carlos, Municipalities of Agno, Basista, Balungao, Bani, Bayambang, Binmaley, Bugallon, Calasiao, Labrador, Mangaldan, Manaoag, Mapandan, Natividad, San Jacinto, San Manuel, Sto. Tomas, Tayug, San Fabian, and Villasis.
The successful workshop was facilitated by Ms. Marissa Navales of Nutrition International; Ms. Karla Laqui of Nutrition International; Ms. Nicollete Amon of DILG-ROI; Mr. Kendall Gatan, OIC-NPC of NNC- Region I; Ms. Ma. Eileen B. Blanco, NPC of NNC-MiMaRoPa; Ms. Dianne Cornejo, Nutrition Officer III of NNC-CO; Ms. Helen Joy Bugaling, ECCD-F1K Coordinator; and the Nutrition-Dietitians II of NNC and DOH namely Ms. Wylibeth Lumpias, Ms. Claribel Catinguel, Ms. Nice Galamgam, Ms. Camela Macayan, Ms. Sunshine Tangoyab, Ms. Bernalyn Calay, and Ms. Christy Viloria. /KPAG
