The Provincial Government of Romblon thru the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) has implemented various nutrition programs to address the malnutrition problems which aimed to address the stunting and wasting prevalence in the province.
To be able to address the nutritional status of vulnerable groups especially children, the national program of Operation Timbang (OPT) among 0-59 months preschool children (PS) is annually conducted.
In addition, the conduct of a massive campaign on Exclusive Breastfeeding (no formula, juice or water) for six (6) months which is strongly prioritized in the province as recommended by most medical experts. Nutrition workers do their best to share this information to their targeted clientele through house visitation in their respective area of assignment. Concerned mothers benefitted much from this campaign as breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants.
The annual conduct of Supplementary Feeding using the locally-produced Nutrigold (Rice, Monggo, Sesame seeds) for the targeted stunted and severely stunted preschoolers (PS) of the Top Five (5) Nutritionally Depressed Municipalities (NDMs) and underweight and severely underweight preschoolers provincewide with an appropriation of P500,000.00 has been advantageous enough to help augment the daily food intake of the beneficiaries to prevent the severity of malnutrition among 6-23 months PS.
Moreover, the provision of baby’s kit (includes baby soap, socks, baby dress and diapers) and multivitamins for the indigent pregnant women purposely to maintain good personal hygiene among the babies and support good health to the mothers during pregnancy until child’s birth to ensure the development of normal and healthy babies.
Policy on untrained Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) not eligible to receive the provincial counterpart allowances helped produce competent and efficient BNSs to a more effective nutrition program implementation in the municipal and the province as well. Another policy on incomplete submission of requirements has no release of the quarterly claims of BNSs and MNAOs favorably improved the prompt submission of nutrition records and reports of the same to facilitate its consolidation and submission to the National Nutrition Council and giving of honorariums and increase in their allowances boost the morale of the nutrition workers/implementers.
Such strategies and various programs implemented in the province can inspire other LGUs to further their nutrition program implementation in their particular areas as well.
Written by: NO I Jhanna Camela C. Torres and the Romblon Provincial Nutrition Committee
