RSCN Resolution No. 2, s. 2014 entitled “Enjoining All National Government Agencies and Local Government Units in Calabarzon Region to Adopt and Observe Healthy Food Choices and Promote Healthy Lifestyle”- was finalized and approved during the Joint 1st Meeting of the Regional Sub-Committee on Nutrition (RSCN) and Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET), s. 2015 held at the 3rd Floor Conference Room, Department of Health IV-A Building, Quirino Memorial Medical Center Compound, Project 4, Quezon City on 24 February 2015. The resolution is among the strides of RSCN in its combat against the arising problem of overnutrition in the region.

According to the 8th National Nutrition Updating Survey of the FNRI-DOST done in 2013, overnutrition in the region coexists with undernutrition. About 7 out of every 100 pre-school children in Calabarzon were found to be overweight while 12 out of every 100 school children were overweight and obese. Moreover, the overweight and obesity prevalence among adolescents and adults are 9.6% and 33.2% respectively. The overnutrition prevalence among various age groups was all higher than the national prevalence. Because of this alarming survey results, the RSCN decided to take action and came up with the said resolution. The resolution encourages all national government agencies and local government units in the region to influence and encourage private establishments operating or signifying to operate in their area of jurisdiction to carry out promotion of healthy lifestyle and food choices by issuance of ordinances or resolutions and provision of incentives in monetary or non-monetary forms. Furthermore, it also urges the NGAs and LGUs to adopt practices such as offering of healthy and nutritious menus in canteens; prohibition of serving of softdrinks/sugary drinks during meetings and in canteens; and provision of equipment for the conduct of regular exercise activities.

Also, during the meeting, the 2015 Plans and Schedule of Activities of the RSCN and RNET were discussed. These include the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI), Updating of the RSCN Strategic Plan and Workshop, Stakeholders’ Forum, NGO Forum, various trainings and Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) Program Implementation Review (PIR) among others. The RSCN and RNET members were then asked to block-off the dates of the said activities that they need to attend.

RNPC Carina Z. Santiago presided the meeting on behalf of the RSCN Chair Director Nestor F. Santiago. It was attended by the members from the agencies namely - DOH, NFA, NEDA, DAR, DILG, PIA, BFAR, Kabisig ng Kalahi, RRIC, DTI, NCIP and DSWD.