The NNC-Calabarzon conducted the launching of the Regional “Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement 3.O” last December 3 at BSA Twin Towers Hotel in Mandaluyong City, with numerous distinguished guests and stakeholders joining the blended online-onsite milestone event.
The launching which is significantly seen as a call to create more nutrition champions in the region, will intensify and scale-up nutrition programs through collaborations with the different sectors. It will also serve to encourage policy makers, local implementers and stakeholders to engage, inspire and invest more keenly in nutrition to help address and fight malnutrition.
The Keynote Message was given by Atty. Karlo Alexei Nograles, the very supportive and hands-on Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson who is also the SUN Adviser for the Philippines and Chair of the Interagency Task Force (IATF) on Zero Hunger.
Atty. Nograles reiterated what he said during the SUN Launch in the Philippines last June when he said, “We are one with the SUN movement’s vision to have a world free from malnutrition in all its forms by year 2030.”
The event was also graced by Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, NNC Executive Director and Assistant Secretary. In her inspirational message, she called for collaborative efforts in creating and innovating ideas, and in seeking unity and holistic approaches in addressing nutritional inadequacies that are rooted deeply in the persistent socio-economic issues of poverty and food insecurity.
In the launching, the “Salient Features of the SUN Movement” was elaborated by Ms. Jasmine Ducusin of the Nutrition Policy and Planning Division of NNC.
The SUN Movement, a global movement to end malnutrition in all its forms is comprised of leader representatives from the government, private sector, civil society and academe – all working together to improve nutrition.
SUN is now on its 3rd Phase, called “SUN 3.0”, and covers the years 2021 to 2025, making this year the ideal year for the launching of SUN in Calabarzon for intensified nutrition actions in the region.
To support to the SUN Movement in CaLaBaRZon, representatives from different sectors were also invited. They are: Dr. Maritess Yee, Program Leader of the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Banos; Ms. Cecille Vertucio, Managing Director of Batangas Egg Producers Cooperative (BEPCO); Ms. Emelita Monville Oro – Country Director of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and Ms. Marie Aislinn Cabriole, Representative of Food and Nutrition Youth Network (FNYN).
Guests from the private sector including representatives from the Enrique Zobel Foundation, Unilever, Open Heart Foundation and Gardenia Bakeries (Phils.), Inc. were also invited to witness the event.
Professional groups, NGO and Civil Society groups were also represented. They are: the NDAP Quezon Chapter with Ms. Bella Castro, their president; the NDAP South Luzon Chapter; Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon; Red Cross (Chapters of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, San Pablo, Tayabas); SHARE Inc.; as well as ARBO-Amorseco Agrarian Reform Cooperative; and Palangue Agrarian Reform Cooperative.
The active partners of NNC in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in the region, the the Breastfeeding Support Groups, also attended the event. They are: Breastfeeding Ala Eh! CavMoms; South Pinanays; LATCH Los Baños; BabyDuDuDocs; Tagaytay Moms; Rizal Mammas; and Advent Moms/Breastfeeding Gabays.
To strengthen engagement with the region’s Academe sector, representatives from Batangas State University and National University were also invited.
During the launching of SUN Movement, the “Annual Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony” was also conducted simultaneously, where the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Carina Z. Santiago awarded and recognized high performing LGUs and local nutrition focal points.
Written By: Kristine Joy E. Fedilo
