Region III

Details: Category: Region 3; Published: 30 March 2015

Pampanga LNC It was a surprising 24thday of March 2015 when the province of Pampanga led by its Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, Ms. Rustica R. Butiu was able to bring together representatives of its 19 municipalities and 2 cities in its first ever Local Nutrition Committee Orientation and Consultative Planning Meeting at the Benigno Aquino Hall, Capitol Grounds, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The activity was attended by 19 Municipal Health Officers/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, 5 Rural Health Staff, 10 Budget/Planning Officers, and 7 ABC Presidents.

Having generated the desired mix and level of authority of participants, the NPC and NO III of the NNC Regional Office were inspired to discuss comprehensively the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, how this is translated at the local level through integrated planning, how each functional local nutrition committee (LNC) plays a vital role and contributes to the success of the nutrition program management, especially on advocacy with legal bases.

A long way ahead for the “revitalized” Nutrition Committees to pursue the attainment of practical program indicators sensitive of the LGU needs with one initial big step taken. Bravo… LNCs of Pampanga!

Details: Category: Region 3; Published: 14 September 2015

NiEm- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Central Luzon will spearhead the Training on Nutrition in Emergencies (NiEm) of the members of the Regional Nutrition Cluster on 14-18 September 2015 at the Otel Pampanga, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The training is an offshoot of the Training of Trainers on NiEm, a joint undertaking of the NNC and UNICEF, held in Baguio City last year.

Participants are members of the Regional Nutrition Cluster, Regional Nutrition Committee, Regional BantayAsin Task Force, representing the following agencies: Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Commission on Population, Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and the Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Bureau of Investigation, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine National Police and Philippine Red Cross. The Presidents of the NNC Regional Nutrition Network such as the Central Luzon Association of Nutrition Action Officers or CLANAO, Association of District and City Nutrition Program Coordinators of Central Luzon or ADCNPC-CL and Central Luzon Association of BNS, Inc. or CLABI, being members of the expanded RNC for Central Luzon will also attend.

Details: Category: Region 3; Published: 17 April 2015

The Regional Nutrition Forum for developmental partners, international and non-government organizations, and local organizations and sectoral groups brought together 22 Regional Nutrition Committee and Nutrition Cluster, 8 Local Government Units (LGUs), 3 from the Business Sector, 1 form the Academe, 1 from the Media partners and 13 International and Local Nutrition Partners on 7 April 2015 at the Orotel Hotel, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The newly assigned Assistant Regional Director, Dr. Louella Hipe Estember welcomed the participants and posed the following challenges in her Opening Message: make a difference in the lives of the Filipinos especially in times of calamities; address the basic and cross-cutting needs of the calamity-affected population; and prioritize nutrition needs to overcome impact of calamities.

To substantiate the significance of conducting the forum, the updated Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition was presented to specify the recommendations to reach the Medium Term Development Goals; address the double-bladed nutrition problem; integrate Nutrition into the Annual Investment Plan and recognize the participation and involvement of all sectors including the important role of the LGUs.

The following principles were derived from the presentation of the selected developmental partners on their mandates and best practices. 1) The success of any program or project in a community depends upon the priorities of the present political leader 2) Put nutrition among the priorities; at the Center of Philippine Development 3) Learning from other’s experiences 5) Investment on behaviour change with long-term impact 4) Investment on Nutrition results to long-term development 5) Advocacy, Coordination, Collaboration, Partnership, Coalition, Focus on specific groups – Children, Pregnant & Lactating Mothers, teenage pregnant, community based 6) Nutrition as a Human Right 7) Consider community/children perspective.

Accomplishments that were generated during the workshop were primarily on policy advocacy and dissemination, service delivery, promotion of the Nutrition Guidelines, development of appropriate and innovative strategies including researches, monitoring and evaluation to establish the impact and outcome of programs and projects on Nutrition.

As a way forward, selected recommendations were raised by the participants such as to call NGOs to provide list of their field of engagements and areas of operation; support health and nutrition interventions thru “Gulayan sa BarangayatPaaralan”; hold a semestral meeting (3^rdweek of the semester); conduct NGO Forum on Nutrition; forge MOA signing with all stakeholders; share or link program with Monitoring and Evaluation component; document Best Practices; work in convergence, continue collaboration and coordination; hold a semestral meeting; and invite additional and capacitate partners.

Details: Category: Region 3; Published: 02 September 2015

ro3 awit at sayaw The National Nutrition Council Region III, in partnership with the Department of Education and Big Ben’s Projects, onceagain spearheaded the “NGF: Awit at Sayaw para sa Wastong Nutrisyon” contest. Now on its 3^rd year, the event aimed to expand and enhance public awareness on the 10 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos or NGF. The contest also aimed to support the nationwide campaign of the National Nutrition Council on the Promotion of Good Nutrition, with the banner slogan “Wastong Nutrition, Alamin, Gawin at Palaganapin”.

The staging of the contest was made possible through the support provided by the Schools Division Superintendents of the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Provincial Nutrition Action Officers and District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators of the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales. The students were the main target of the activity because of their key role and influence in changing the eating behaviour and lifestyle of their family members.

Three years ago, NNC Central Luzon requested its partner, Big Ben Projects, to create an official nutri-jingle of the NGF which will be used as music material for the “NGF: Awit at Sayaw para sa Wastong Nutrisyon” contest.

Details: Category: Region 3; Published: 13 February 2015

ro3 10 kumainments launching The NNC for Central Luzon espoused the regional launching of the 10Kumainments Lakas at Sigla ng Buhayand the soft launching ofPinggang Pinoyin February being the love month in order that these Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos with the recommended food, eating and lifestyle practices shall ultimately become the NNC’s Valentine’s Gift to all Central Luzonians.

The launching which was emceed by Ms. Jaimee Santos of GV FM 99.1 was overwhelmingly witnessed by 110 participants region-wide with 7 provinces and 14 cities municipalities represented. Seventeen (17) representatives of the Regional Nutrition Committee Agency Members joined the LGU partners in welcoming Mang Moie and expressing commitment to adopt and support the10 Kumainments.

A prayer which speaks of a promise to campaign and role-model the cause of nutrition started the program which was reinforced when all of the attendees led by Nutrition Officer III Angelita M. Pasos recited the pledge to advocate and promote the wider dissemination and initiate at individual, household and community level practicing the 10 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos.

Details: Category: Region 3; Published: 12 March 2015

csfp-revised In observance of the Women’s Month, with the theme: “Juana, Desisyon mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!”, the City of San Fernando conducted theBuntisSummit attended by around 250 pregnant women on 11 March 2015 at the Heroes Hall, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Mayor Edwin Santiago opened the activity with his strong statement that the local government puts first the needs of pregnant women citywide.

The program supports the nation’s advocacy for women’s rights as well as gender and development and gender equality. The summit includes various presentations that will enable all mothers to understand pregnancy, tips for mother and child care, nutrition in pregnancy and Infant and Young Child Feeding. In addition, distribution of baby-mother packages such as comforters, strollers, cribs including hygiene kits was among the highlights of the program.

NPC Florinda V. Panlilio attended the activity in support to the city’s prime move to forward the advocacy on the “First 1,000 Days” and to extend appreciation on the major initiatives of the city on advancing promotion of the 10 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos.

We all dream of seeing healthy babies and mothers in the entire city!