QUEZON CITY --- While usual activities came to a halt due to the COVID-19 outbreak, adapting to the “new normal” became a challenge for most. Thanks to technology and the advent of online conferencing, NNC MIMAROPA’s first online digital Nutrition Month Launching became possible on 1 July 2020, with the support of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – MIMAROPA headed by Director Jose Reuben Q. Alagaran II. It was streamed simultaneously on PIA MIMAROPA and NNC MIMAROPA’s official Facebook accounts.

Nutrition Month is celebrated every July by virtue of Presidential Decree 491, also known as Nutrition Act of the Philippines, to create greater awareness among Filipino people on the importance of nutrition. Each year, a theme is selected to focus on the most pressing issues affecting the Filipino citizenry. This year’s theme “Batang Pinoy, SANA TALL… Iwas Stunting, SAMA ALL! Iwas ALL din sa COVID-19”, expresses the aspiration of Filipino families to have children who are able to achieve their fullest potential. The sub-message on COVID-19 is added to pay attention to the pandemic and quarantine still in effect.

The online Nutrition Month launching, in the form of a virtual presser, served as an interactive platform for information exchange among local chief executives and nutrition stakeholders on ways to scale-up action to address the impact of stunting within the region. It is the first of many activities lined-up by the region to raise awareness and stimulate local discourse on stunting and its causes, and generate commitment among its various stakeholders.  

Mr. Romeo Mataac Jr. of PIA Marinduque moderated the activity, with members of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) headed by RNC Chair and Regional Director of DOH MIMAROPA Dr. Mario S. Baquilod  present during the said event. All provinces were represented by their local chief executives and provincial/city nutrition action officers (P/CNAOs) including Gov. Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. and PNAO Rubi C. Apiag of Marinduque; Gov. Jose R. Riano and PNAO Willard B. Mortos of Romblon; PNAO Norine G. Dacula of Oriental Mindoro; PNAO Dra. Arceli T. Rebong of Occidental Mindoro; PNAO Rachel T. Paladan of Palawan; City Councilor Mary Pauline Mylene A. De Jesus, CNAO Glenda M. Raquepo and CHO Dra. Liza Llanto of Calapan City; and City Health Officer Ricardo B. Panganiban and CNAO Mary Pearl P. Rodriguez of Puerto Princesa City.

NNC Nutrition Program Coordinator and OIC-MIMAROPA Ma. Eileen B. Blanco, together with Dr. Baquilod, answered questions presented by members of the Palawan, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Occidental Mindoro Nutrition Communicators (PROMO Nutri Com) on nutrition concerns related to stunting in the region. As a response to the impending issue at hand, the discourse tackled the Regional Nutrition Committee’s initiative to push for a resolution to request LGUs to provide nutritious food packs during emergencies and encouraging local food establishments to make available healthier food options as initial steps to ensure proper nutrition across the region. Among the queries raised, infant and young child feeding, particularly breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic stirred the most concern. In the interest of continuous nutrition advocacy and promotion, Director Alagaran of PIA MIMAROPA  affirmed to help in popularizing best nutrition practices to make known effective nutrition program management in the region.

While July is designated as Nutrition Month, it is hoped that all actions identified to be taken be sustained throughout the year. (MCLCChen)

The virtual presser can be accessed on this link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1136196740092787