The implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines made enormous impact to various aspects of living – poor access to health and nutrition services and limited resources for nutrition.
According to 2020 Rapid Nutrition Assessment Survey (RNAS) conducted by Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), results have showed that the prime concern of households during pandemic and other related situation were access to health and nutrition programs for children and pregnant women, employment, food accessibility and food security.
As such, local government units in the MIMAROPA region have unceasingly delivered various services, especially that of relating to nutrition to address the concerns of the people. In particular, some of the nutrition-related activities conducted by LGUs include production of complementary foods with the use of own food processing hub for malnourished 6 to 23 months old children in line with the advocacy on Infant and Young Child Feeding and the First 1000 Days of life, and monitoring of backyard gardens and identification of malnourished children through house-to-house visits.
While observing public health safety protocols, continuous conduct of municipal nutrition council meeting for first quarter were done to layout plans for improved program implementation. With the use of the 2020 Operation Timbang Plus results, LGUs were able to prioritize needed interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the COVID-19 situation in the region improves, some LGUs were able to proceed with the conduct of nutrition education classes, particularly Idol Ko So Nanay learning sessions, Pabasa Sa Nutrisyon, and other lectures and participatory cooking demonstrations, in celebration of various sectoral celebrations such as the Philippine Heart Health Month. Conduct of Buntis Congress was also made possible with discussions on the essentials of prenatal check-ups, birth and family planning, importance of nutrition during pregnancy and dissemination of buntis kits.
In pursuit of continuous advancement of knowledge and skills of program implementers, refresher courses on OPT Plus were done, as well as that of facilitation of barangay-level Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI). Support was also given to barangay nutrition scholars, where some LGUs provided honorarium.
Through the extent help of all hardworking nutrition heroes and front liners, health and nutrition services were continuously provided to the vulnerable population groups – malnourished children, pregnant and lactating mothers and elderly to aid in deteriorating malnutrition in MIMAROPA Region.
Each one of you is indeed a hero. Your hardships and efforts are unbeatable. Kayo ang tunay na bida! Together, let us beat COVID-19!
(NKSLoyola)
