CALAMBA CITY – Twenty local chief executives (LCEs) from Quezon Province expressed their all-out support for the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 by wearing the PPAN advocacy jacket with the caption “#MayorforPPAN” which they recently posted on FB. Indicated in the other side of their jackets are the phrase “End all forms of malnutrition” -- the objective of the PPAN 2017-2022.
These LCEs include: Honorable Danilo E. Suarez (Quezon Province), Honorable Marcelo Gayeta (Sariaya), Honorable Alfred Rigor S. Mitra (Panukulan), Honorable Cesar J. Isaac III (Guinayangan), Honorable Ramon A. Preza (Tiaong), Honorable Rodel T. Espiritu (Jomalig), Honorable Marita Llamas (Mauban), Honorable Rosalina O. Visorde (Calauag), Honorable Eliseo Ruzol (General Nakar), Honorable Ma. Remedios U. Rivera (Buenavista), Honorable Filipina Grace R. America (Infanta), Honorable Webster Letargo (Gumaca), Honorable Rhadam P. Aguilar (Agdangan), Honorable Macario Boongaling (Candelaria), Honorable Ernida Reynoso (Tayabas City), Honorable Giovanne T. Lim (San Andres), Honorable Cristina E. Bosque (Polillo), Honorable Roderick M. Larita (Patnanungan), Honorable Fernando L. Mesa (Alabat) and Honorable Bernanrdo V. Tumagay (Plaridel).
The endeavor was initiated by NNC to reinforce PPAN among the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in different LGUs, the LGUs being the chair of their Local Nutrition Committee. Consequently, other Local Chief Executives (LCEs) from other regions also joined the advocacy and it is hoped that more LCEs in the whole country will be encouraged to support, prioritize and invest in nutrition so that all forms of malnutrition in the country will be addressed.
In review, PPAN 2017-2022 serves as the blueprint for addressing the nutrition problems faced by the Philippines. It is composed of: Eight (8) nutrition-specific programs; an initial list of 11 nutrition-sensitive programs; and three (3) enabling programs (that enjoins different national government agencies, local government units, private sectors, academic institutions and other developmental partners in the implementation of the program).
It will take two more years before the conclusion of the implementation of PPAN – and even in the middle of the pandemic, NNC is becoming more creative in its strategies to achieve the goals and objectives of the program. Even all forms of media (from radio to print and social media) are being used to strengthen the campaign against malnutrition. It is expected that with so much enthusiasm and effort, more gains are forthcoming.
By: Ma. Jhonnadelle Ritz H. Castillo
