The municipality of Narra, Palawan has underwent its second virtual Local Nutrition Early Warning System (LNEWS) monitoring for this year on 21 September 2021, through Zoom Application platform. The monitoring was facilitated by Mr. Ace Patriarca and Mr. Erik Bacena, both Provincial Nutrition Focal Point of National Nutrition Council MIMAROPA region. The monitoring activity was attended and participated by 11 members of the LNEWS Municipal Core Group together with the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) of 5 sentinel barangays.
The activity started with a prayer, followed by acknowledgement of the attendees. PNPF Patriarca proceeds in the accomplished LNEWS 1st and 2nd quarter report of the LGU and asked questions according to the monitoring guide. He discussed the collected primary and secondary data and even though the municipality as experienced a dry rainfall warning, their crop products were not affected for they have a good supply of water coming from their irrigation. However, food items such as chicken and pork were having a shortage that resulted in a higher market price. Mr. Djan Bernardo, Market Inspector Officer said that “Binebenta po kasi ng mga supplier sa labas ng munisipyo, kaya pagdating sa loob ay nagkakakulangan na.” which leads to higher price rates. Although they were experiencing shortage of chicken and pork supplies within the municipality, there were more other resources available that can be substituted with meats such as fishes which is abundantly available in their area according to MNAO Ms. Ana Paz Cervancia.
Moreover, the BNSs conducted a random sampling to ensure timely and precised data gathering. And from the partial gathered data of the 19 household interviewed in 5 selected sentinel barangays, the prevalence of underweight and wasted among 0-59 months old children were resulted within normal rate, in the other hand, the stunted children shows a high prevalence rate. But according to MNAO Ms. Ana Paz Cervancia, from their Operation Timbang Plus results, their stunted prevalence continuous to decrease. They will still revalidate all the data gathered and afterwards, they will be submitting the updated 1st and 2nd quarter LNEWS monitoring report.
Before the monitoring activity was finished, the BNSs shared that the households were glad that they were being asked regarding their food security in their community which shows concern to them.
The NNC MIMAROPA will be regularly conduct monitoring of nutrition-related programs in the LGUs within the region to ensure the program is well implemented in the area.
Written by PFNP Ace Patriarca
