Quezon City, 8 February - National Nutrition Council MIMAROPA, led by Nutrition Program Coordinator Ma. Eileen B. Blanco and Nutrition Officer III Camille Chen, conducted a courtesy and advocacy meeting with Marinduque Congressman and 18th Congress House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco at the House of Representatives, Batasan Complex, Quezon City. Also present during the meeting were Deputy Secretary General of the Office of the Speaker Atty. Jocelia B. Sipin and Program Coordinator Ms. Lorie Gacusan.
The meeting started with NPC Blanco’s presentation of the 2020 Nutrition Situation in the MiMaRoPa Region, highlighting the improvement in the malnutrition prevalence, with association to the efforts and interventions implemented by all local government units to help improve nutrition outcomes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She commended LGU Marinduque’s production and distribution of the enhanced NutriBun as a response to the increased hunger incidence last year, a first in the region.
Given the geographical topography and significant number of nutritionally at-risk groups, particularly the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the region, provision of nutrition services is really a challenge. House Speaker Velasco asked for interventions that are feasible for implementation and then agreed to become a nutrition champion. To materialize the agreement, NNC MIMAROPA will prepare a project proposal for possible funding in 2022. NPC Blanco mentioned that even in other regions in the country, the budget on nutrition is limited, that is why it would be of help if funding will be available for the whole country, as well – “We will be leaving a legacy, we are on the preventive side. Wag na nating hintaying lumala pa kasi mas malaki pa ang investment na kakailanganin”, she said.
A brief discussion on Tutok Kainan (TK) Dietary Supplementation Program also took place, highlighting the two of five provinces from the MiMaRoPa Region included as target areas – Occidental Mindoro and Marinduque. NPC Blanco mentioned that it will be great to also include other remaining provinces in the region along with the implementation of TK for a more holistic approach. House Speaker Velasco then agreed and propose to target that as well.
NPC Blanco handed the NNC Advocacy Jacket of which the House Speaker eagerly wore. A copy of the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition 2019-2022 (RPAN) was given to House Speaker Velasco, and a photo opportunity followed.
It is hoped that as a nutrition champion and advocate, Speaker Velasco will continue to become #PartnersForChange with the NNC through supporting its plans and programs from this point forward.
MCLCChen
