Quezon City – MIMAROPA Region with its geographical location is generally prone to natural emergencies such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones and floods. Food insecurity is more likely to occur during disasters, calamities and public health emergencies such as the unforeseen coming of pandemic COVID-19.

With the COVID – 19 pandemic, and with the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the supply chain across the region is affected since households’ access to goods and services are significantly limited. Food supply,  health and nutrition of individuals are affected due to the limited access and availability of nutritious foods. Further, the nutritional status of vulnerable groups—infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, elderly, and indigenous peoples—are at high risk during calamities, disasters and public health emergencies.

Responding to this crisis, the LGUs in the region are taking necessary actions by providing food assistance to households. Supporting this initiative, the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) NNC MIMAROPA chaired by Department of Health – Center for Health and Development MIMAROA Regional Director Dr. Mario S. Baquilod approved RNC Resolution No. 1, s. 2020: Seeking Support from RDC MIMAROPA to Request all Local Government Units in the Region to Provide Healthy and Nutritious Food Packs during Disasters, Calamities and Public Health Emergencies during its virtual meeting held last 19 June 2020.

The resolution seeks support from the Regional Development Council (RDC) to request LGUs in the region to provide healthy nutritious food packs during disasters, calamities, and public health emergencies through the following:

• Inclusion of local fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, root crops, legumes/beans/seeds, egg, meat/poultry/fish or pasteurized fresh milk in the family food packs by buying fresh produce items directly from the small farmers and cooperatives within the community;
• Limitation of donations of foods high in fats, sugar and/or salt unless healthier food alternatives are not accessible;
• Inclusion of recipes to make food donations a more nutritious dish; and
• Inclusion of food items which are adequately fortified with vitamin A, iron or iodine or those with Sangkap Pinoy Seal.

The Joint Regional Nutrition Committee and Regional Technical Working Group virtual meeting was presided by Dr. Mathew Medrano of DOH MIMAROPA in behalf of Director Mario Baquilod and was attended by twenty one (21) RNC members and representatives namely:  Director Lolito Tacardo and Mr. Mark Guilles of Commission on Population (POPCOM), Director Joey Alagaran and Ms. Melanie Ronquillo of Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Executive Director Dra. Mary Christine Castro of Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP), Ms. Norieline Cagasan of Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines (NFP), Ms. Perla Supnet of Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH – CHD), Mr. Elmer De Rosario of Department of Agriculture (DA), Ms. Robee Ponce De Leon of Department of Interior and  Local Government (DILG), Mr. Paul Pukias of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Ms. Ruby Oncita and Ms. J-an Manuel of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Mr. Ed Sumangil of National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Ms. Jane Guballa and Ms. Jobelle Mendoza of Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD), Ms. Keren Gaya of Department of Education (DepEd), Ms. Chara Eje of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Mr. Dennis Valdez of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mr. Joel Guevara of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The resolution will be presented to the RDC Social Development Committee for endorsement to the Regional Development Council. (NKSLoyola)