Legazpi City. The National Nutrition Council in Bicol convened on Wednesday, 25 March the Inter-Agency members of the Regional Nutrition Cluster through video conference to discuss the Nutrition Advisory No. 1, series 2020 urging LGUs on nutrition actions to take relative to COVID-19 crisis, and the status of COVID-19 in Bicol. The advisory issued by the National Nutrition Cluster chaired by Executive Director Azucena M. Dayanghirang will guide the local government units, non-government organization, business companies and other civic-oriented organizations providing nutrition services to all areas affected by COVID-19. Meanwhile, 18 regional nutrition cluster members from different government agencies and non-government organizations participated in the online meeting. During the meeting, each nutrition advisory was tackled by the members citing the activities of government agencies and initiatives of non-government organizations. NPC Reario emphasized the need for the mothers to breastfeed exclusively (for 0-6-month-old infants) and provide complementary food (for 6 months and beyond). She also mentioned to include vegetables to the family food packs being given for the families. DSWD representative, Ms. Cristina Florendo said that the DSWD has given food packs to different local government units containing 6 kilos rice, 4 cans of sardines, 4 cans of corned beef, 6 sachets of 3-in-1 coffee which are good for 3 days. These food packs will be given to 25% of the poorest families in each LGU. Dr. Rita Ang-Bon of CHD Bicol shared that the Inter-Agency Task Force of Bicol meets regularly for the COVID-19 issues. She hopes that the nutrition commodities intended for Bicol region will soon arrive from DOH Central Office.
Dios Mabalos Po Foundation led by Ms. Mediatrix Villanueva shared that her group has been coordinating with BRTTH and UST Hospital in Legazpi City for provision of PPEs and N95 masks to its frontline workers. The Foundation also informed the group that through Assisi Development Foundation, their group may be able to provide MannaPack Potato – a complementary food for infants 6 months and above as well as hygiene kits for lactating women. Professor Ma. Corazon R. Naz from Bicol University Legazpi City said that the BU-College of Industrial Technology Fabrication Laboratory is currently producing mask protection shields. The Philippine Red Cross Albay Chapter is helping disseminate information on COVID-19 and are volunteering in the checkpoints. The World Vision Foundation in Bicol is currently assessing the situation and will provide necessary actions in the coming days. Other agencies continue to disseminate information on COVID-19 too.
NNC for its part promise to sustain info dissemination on good nutrition and the COVID-19 updates from DOH thru its Facebook Page and official website as well as be the sources of correct information. In addition, it will continue to coordinate with the members of the nutrition cluster for the activities of the group. It has also disseminated the same advisory to LGUs through the Nutrition Action Officers and District Nutrition Program Coordinators in the region. With these small steps, the group hopes to help in protecting and saving the lives of Bicolanos. The cluster will meet again soon to discuss other steps to help in the campaign against COVID-19. (NACL, MCV, ARR, NNC RO V)