Although the government has long waged a war on malnutrition, chronic malnutrition has remained a serious problem in the country today.

Regional Director Nimfa B. Torrizo of the Department of Health (DOH)-10 disclosed this during the 2017 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony and Launching of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 held at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City last November 24, 2017.

“The 2015 survey on malnutrition prevalence among children in the country revealed that 33.4 percent are stunted and 7.1 percent are wasted,” Torrizo stressed.

To combat malnutrition, the government is pushing for a multi-sectoral collaborative approach to food security and nutrition so that food and proper nutrition are accessible to all especially the poor.

Moreover, Ellen Ruth F. Abella of the Nutrition Surveillance Division of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) also presented the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, which is consistent with the Duterte administration’s 10-point economic agenda, Philippine Health Agenda and the development pillars of “malasakit” (protective concern), “pagbabago” (change or transformation), and “kaunlaran” (development), and the vision of Ambisyon 2040.

PPAN is the country’s plan to end malnutrition and it seeks to curb stunting and wasting among children under five years old. (FPG/PIA; edited by smgt)