As the old adage says, “when it rains, it pours”, NNC-Region III experienced another well-attended gathering of Central Luzon government information officers and multi-media practitioners to support the full implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), 2017-2022.
After the successful National Launch of PPAN in Iloilo City on 2 May, National Nutrition Council-organized regional media groups marched on to their respective regions to spread the battle cry “Sa PPAN, panalo ang bayan”. Highly motivated and driven by its commitment during its participation in the Regional Media Group’s Planning Workshop in Iloilo City, Central Luzon Media Group (CLMG) immediately decided to convene its members to revitalize and restore what the group had started in 2013.
May 23, although a rainy Tuesday afternoon, 24-member representatives of the CLMG convened at the conference room of the new building of the Department of Trade and Industry-Region III located at the Diosdado Macapagal Government Center, Barangay Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Why “it pours”? It is just because of many reasons. Firstly, it was the first time, after the CLMG was established in September 2013, that all group members, old and new were present; Secondly, the original CLMG leader in 2013, Pampanga Press Club was also present and all members from the media were well-represented; Thirdly, it was the very first time that the DTI-Region III sponsored a meeting in its newly-built regional office (former office was in Angeles City); Fourth, four of the five CLMG representatives who attended the National Launch of the PPAN, 2017-2022 in Iloilo City on 2 May 2017 shared their learnings, insights and commitment to PPAN, and Lastly, a new set of officers was finally installed, after three attempts since its inception in 2013.
Another drop in the bucket was the creation of a new name for the group, from the acronym CLMG, the group now call themselves CLARINET, which stands for Central Luzon Advocates and Regional Nutrition Information Network. While the new name is associated with the wooden wind instrument, clarinet, with a single reed and a cylindrical body and bore, the media group aims to acquire the instrument’s characteristic and flexibility e.g. can be used in classical, popular music or jazz and well played by hundreds of thousands of professionals and amateurs alike, worldwide. Thus, similar to clarinet, where the group’s name derived, CLARINET, as a media group connotes clarity of purpose and willingness to give its full support through its media network to address the multiple nutrition challenges in the country.
The following are CLARINET’s new set of officers - President- Mr. Jordan Donato Ilustre of DWAY 1332 –Sonshine Radio Cabanatuan; Vice-President (VP) for Internal Affairs –Mr. Alberto Santiago and VP for External Affairs - Mr. Albert Lacanlale, both from RW 95.1 FM; Secretary- Ms. Mary Joy Simpao of the Philippine Information Agency; Treasurer – Ms. Michelle Lacson of the Department of Education; Assistant Treasurer - Ms. Raisa Leona Tan of the Population Commission; Auditor – Ms. Riza Macabali of CLTV 36; Public Relations Officer – Mr. Wency Marin of New Media Philippines; and Business Manager – Mr. Warren Patrick Serrano of DTI.
In his acceptance speech, newly-posted CLARINET President Ilustre, deeply expressed his high hopes that with the support and commitment of each officer and member of the CLARINET, the nutrition situation of Central Luzon will be given primordial attention, particularly in priority areas such as the Province of Nueva Ecija province, recognized as the rice granary of the country, but was identified as one of the priority provinces of PPAN. He also expressed his desire for the CLARINET to become better, “maging kasing aktibo rin ang grupo gaya ng rehiyon 1, 2 at 7” and to set aside individual-personal interests”.
Other highlights of the meeting were: 1) feedback on the National PPAN Launch in Iloilo City shared by OIC-NPC Ana Maria B. Rosaldo and the 4 member-representatives of the CLMG from DTI, PIA, CLTV36 and DWAY 1332-Sonshine Radyo Cabanatuan; 2) presentation of the group’s action plan during the planning workshop; 3) 2017 Local Media Plan of NNC-Region III; and 4) showing of video presentations of the PPAN and “First 1000 Days of Life”.
The meeting generated varied feedback, such as “ang mga paksa ay madaling maintindihan”, “laganap pala ang stunting sa first 3 years of life, “nalaman ang mga proyektong nakahanda para sa nutrisyon’, “well-organized meeting” and expression of support -“CLTV 36 will truly support nutrition”.
Mabuhay ka, CLARINET!!!
By: NO III Angelita M. Pasos/OIC-NPC Ana Maria B. Rosaldo
