NNC MIMAROPA conducted its virtual focus group discussion (FGD) with Indigenous People (IP) stakeholders in preparation for the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) or Kasapatan at Ugnayan ng Mamamayan sa Tamang Pagkain at Nutrisyon (KUMAIN) on 13 April 2021 via Zoom Application. The session targets to gather inputs and suggestions from prospective IP stakeholders and beneficiaries and to assess the health and nutrition situation of the seven (7) municipalities from Occidental Mindoro and seven (7) municipalities from Romblon as proposed target areas of PMNP.
The activity was facilitated by Mr. Ace Van Earl T. Patriarca and Mr. Francis Erik P. Bacena. It was attended by 17 participants who are IP leaders in both the identified LGUs.
To expand the coinciding efficiency of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions and to ameliorate the crucial manners and practices known to minimize stunting in select municipalities of MIMAROPA Region, the PMNP: KUMAIN Project was developed.
Prior to the conduct of FGD, an informed consent form was provided to each participant. In the course of discussion proper, facilitators walked through the four (4) components of FGD questionnaire: health and nutrition concerns or problems which are most common in the communities, gender issues in relation to health and nutrition concerns experienced in the communities, appropriate nutrition-sensitive programs to address the health and nutrition concerns in the communities and recommendations for KUMAIN Project.
“Ilan sa mga pangkaraniwang sakit sa mga komunidad ay lagnat, UTI, ubo at sakit sa tiyan. Tuwing panahon ng tag-ulan o June hanggang September, mas nakararanas ng taggutom dahil hindi pa naglalaman ang mga gabi at ube . Gayundin, ilan sa mga suliraning pang-nutrisyon ay kahirapan, kakulangan sa kaalaman ukol sa kalusugan at nutrisyon, paniniwala sa mga pangkatutubong kultura at nakagawian at hindi sapat na suplay ng pagkain. Dahil rito, ang pinakaapektadong populasyon ay ang mga 0 to 5 taong gulang na bata at mga senior citizen” shared by various participants.
Through the collaborative efforts of DOH, NNC, DSWD, DILG, DA, DOST-FNRI, Office of the Cabinet Secretary, and Indigenous People (IP) stakeholders and beneficiaries, the hit long-run implementation of PMNP: KUMAIN Project will contribute to enhanced nutritional status of IPs in MIMAROPA Region.
(NKSLoyola)
