By Benjie S. De Yro (member, Balay ni IFAN media group)
The National Nutrition Council must have thought of Nueva Viscaya when it designed the trophy for the Nutrition Honor Award.
The province has the burning desire and unending commitment toward nutrition improvement, represented by the three colored flames embedded at the back of the clear beveled glass. The province has a strong nutrition foundation for the last six years as it pruned and refined its experience to be excellent.
For the ordinary Tribu Viscayano, the Nutrition Honor Award should be a cause to celebrate their good practices as they are now one of the 60 government units the award was conferred.
Charge that to a holistic approach to scale up nutrition in the province led by a popular visionary leader, the chair of the Provincial Nutrition Committee, Governor Carlos Padilla.
“I have envisioned the province as a watershed haven where spiritually, socially and politically, culturally and economically empowered Viscayanos live in peace and prosperity,” he said in a statement. That would include resilient communities and environments.
It should be recalled that during the incumbency of then-Governor Ruth Padilla, a governance framework was first implemented. Seen by other political observers as a dynamic strategy, the same framework has been uphold by the present administration of Governor ‘Caloy’ Padilla.
It is a 13-point agenda for Protecting the environment, Reforming the provincial government, Agriculture, Youth and sports, Education and skills, Rural Development, Social services, Networking for development of Farm to market roads, Arts and Culture, Indigenous peoples, Tourism, Health and housing services(PRAYERS N FAITH).
Front line nutrition workers in the province said the framework played a key role in addressing nutrition, it being a part of the agenda. Such strategy, coupled by a strong and dynamic leadership in all levels including the selfless and committed Barangay Nutrition Scholars, ‘resulted to a strong support’ to nutrition through legislation, budget and assistance to the community by various sectors.
The winning of Nueva Viscaya, indeed was not given on a silver platter. They worked for it. In fact, they never left a nutrition stone unturned. Look at how they did their family-based nutrition advocacy.
“We have two new programs which encourage positive behaviors by providing incentives to model families and individuals,” the Governor giv said in a report.
Its idol Kong Pamilya search recognizes low-income families. These are the families which, despite their low economic status, were able to uphold dignity and maintained the health of their families. It was reported by NNC region 2 that winners are given cash incentives.
On the other hand, Idol Kong Entrepreneur search is an offshoot of the first search. The award serves as a strategy to evaluate the effects of LGU funds for livelihood projects earlier given to the sector. On hindsight, it is a promotion for self-sufficiency and resiliency among the people.
Meanwhile, in response to the number of overweight and obese children, Nueva Viscaya launched the Hula Hoop project. It is funded from the proceeds of a fun-run for children called Takbulilit. Hula hoops were distributed to schools with high incidence of overnutrition.
To fully support nutrition programs, ordinances which regulate the sale of no-calorie foods and sugar-sweetened beverage in both public and private school canteens and food vendors near the school were passed. In response to such ordinances, the province’ BNS Federation concocted a project called Nueva Viscaya Nutri-Snack which produce nutritious snacks as healthier alternatives. It is made from locally-produced vegetables and rice.
The federation produces and sells the products at the provincial livelihood center, school canteens under the yellow category of DepEd Order No. 13, series of 2017.
For the period 2015 to 217, there was a reported decline in the prevalence of underweight and wasted school children at 3.3 percent to 2.5 percent and from 2.7 percent to 1.4 percent, respectively.
For the ordinary Tribu Viscayano, leadership is not about an award or a title. It’s about the impact, influence inspiration of a holistic approach implemented by its provincial government.
