CABARROGUIS, Quirino,(PIA)-- The National Nutrition Council has identified this province as the top priority area in the region and among the 36 priority areas in the country for the implementation of Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022.
Based on the Department of Science and Technology- Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) 2015 National Nutrition Survey, Quirino Province was identified as having high prevalence of stunting, according to NNC region 2 coordinator Ma. Gisella Lonzaga.
Lonzaga said, logal government units of identified provinces that were found to have high incidence of stunting and wasting will ensure proper implementation of PPAN 2017- 2022 to address the problem.
Earlier, Governor Junie E. Cua accepted the challenge to eliminate stunting and other forms of malnutrition in the province. He said capacity building and mentoring on nutrition program management will be done to ensure proper implementation of PPAN 2017- 2022.
“Challenge accepted,” Cua said as he signed the pledge of commitment on the Reduction/Elimination of Malnutrition in the province of Quirino during the recent Local Government Units Mobilization Forum on Nutrition here.
Governor Cua also challenged and encouraged all local chief executives to invest more on nutrition program saying that is a very important program of every government to reduce or eliminate stunting in our province.
The province aims to address the double burden of malnutrition caused by stunting and the increasing number of overweight and obesity cases.
Vice Governor May Calaunan, the provincial nutrition action officer for legislations, all vice mayors, Sangguniang Bayan members, nutrition committee members and other nutrition workers and stakeholders also signed the pledge of commitment to the Reduction/Elimination of Malnutrition in the province.
The LGU Mobilization involves capacity building and mentoring of LGUs on nutrition program management to transform them to self-propelling LGUs able to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor and evaluate effective nutrition program implementation and it is also expected to compliment the interventions in the First 1000 Days program. (MDCT/TCB/PIA 2-Quirino)
