Quezon City – During this pandemic COVID-19 situation experienced by our country, appropriate and timely nutrition support must be fully provided to all MiMaRoPans. In response to this, the National Nutrition Council – MiMaRoPa conducted its Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) Meeting via Cisco Webex Meetings Application last 23 April 2020. Agenda of the meeting were: a) DOH MIMAROPA COVID-19 Situational Report, b) Updates on Actions Undertaken by Agency on COVID-19, c) LGU-Initiated Nutrition Responses and d) Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 1, s. 2020: Nutrition Cluster Guidelines on LGU Nutrition Actions Relative to COVID-19.
The virtual meeting was participated by representatives from twelve (12) member agencies, namely: Ms. Perla M. Supnet (DOH), Dr. Mathew R. Medrano (DOH), Dr. Emerose F. Medrano (DOH), Ms. Ma. Robee S. Ponce De Leon (DILG), Ms. Keren Faye M. Gaya (DepEd), Mr. Mark Angelo R. Lorenzo (DSWD), Ms. Ma. Rosita Q. Sanico (DOST), Ms. Chara Lois T. Eje (NEDA), Ms. J-an C. Manuel (DAR), Ms. Ruby T. Oncita (DAR), Mr. Amiel Tristan Castro (POPCOM), Ms. Melanie B. Ronquillo (PIA), Ms Lea A. Dagot (BFAR) and Mr. Eddielito J. Sumangil (NCIP).
To update the group, Dr. Emerose F. Medrano, Medical Officer III and Incident Commander on COVID-19 Response from DOH MiMaRoPa presented the COVID-19 Situational Report of the region. As of 23 April 2020, a total of 14 confirmed cases with six (6) recoveries. Specifically, there are two (2) in Occidental Mindoro, six (6) in Oriental Mindoro, four (4) in Marinduque, one (1) in Romblon and one (1) in Palawan. She added that there are 147 suspected and probable cases, 82 are admitted and 65 are observed in quarantine facilities. However Dr. Moreno will validate if there are Indigenous Peoples (IPs) among confirmed cases.
For quick detection of COVID-19 cases in the region, an expanded testing will be conducted wherein pregnant, elderly, healthcare workers with severe illnesses, acquired symptoms with history of travel and exposure, and no symptoms but with history of travel and exposure will be prioritized. Also, as stated in DOH Memorandum 2020- 0176: Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment, front liners specially Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) must coordinate with their RHUs for face masks for BNSs and other health Workers. Use of improvised face masks is also encouraged.
Each agency shared their responsive actions in providing assistance and support to the LGUs of MiMaRoPa during this pandemic situation such as provision of commodities, food packs, financial assistance, social support to teenagers, promotion of good nutrition, Bayanihan We Heal as One Act advocacy, MIMAROPA News on the Go via SMS, emergency assistance to 4Ps beneficiaries, release of Social Amelioration Program (SAP), guidelines for Supplementary Feeding Program, release of Memorandum Circular stating that Barangay Health Workers are qualified as a beneficiary of Social Amelioration Program of DSWD, monitoring of firms, anti-hoarding, anti-profiteering, price list of goods, small enterprises and schools, monitoring of price and supply of fishes, presentation of webinars and healthy recipe videos.
Moreover, the Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 1 s. 2020: Nutrition Cluster Guidelines on LGU Nutrition Actions Relative to COVID-19 aims to a) promote breastfeeding, b) protect frontliners and c) prioritize vulnerable groups especially families with SAM and MAM children by providing healthy food packs and other needed commodities to avoid deterioration of nutritional status.
“We are at war! and the enemy is so tiny that it cannot be seen by our naked eye. The situation we are experiencing now is not an easy battle to fight, each one of us play a crucial role in fighting and winning this war, it also requires concerted efforts from different sectors,” NPC Blanco stressed.
NNC-MiMaRoPa and Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) intensified its efforts and unite working together to fight COVID 19 …. Together, we can beat COVID 19! (NKSLoyola)
