Presidential Decree 491 (1974) or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines mandated that the annual campaign of Nutrition Month held every July to create greater awareness among Filipinos on the importance of nutrition. The same law mandates as the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to lead and coordinate the nationwide campaign.
This year’s theme: “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!” calls for continued actions to address malnutrition using the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) as guide in promoting proper nutrition during the First 10000 days of life. The objectives of this campaign are 3Es: 1) educate – increase the understanding of the first 1000 days of life strategy and the PPAN as the overall framework; 2) encourage – facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders for scaled-up interventions to fight malnutrition; and 3) engage – generate actions from stakeholders about nutrition.
Specifically, this campaign targets the pregnant women, improving maternal nutrition situation thereby reducing the number of low-birthweight babies, and in the long run, reduce the number of stunted children. Families are involved in this campaign, too, as they are responsible in rearing children by giving appropriate care and protection while growing up. And, to the local chief executives who are responsible for the implementation of different programs to support nutrition by having local nutrition action plans approved and budgeted, designation or appointment of full-time nutrition action officer and nutrition staff, and functional local nutrition committees to manage the local nutrition program aligned with the PPAN.
Filipinos have been battling malnutrition over a decade now, specifically problems on stunting, wasting, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, hunger and food insecurity. Moreover, in March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 disease as a global pandemic. COVID-19 has aa implication on nutrition, food security, and food systems. The rapid spread of the disease led to strict community quarantine measures and imposed lockdowns resulting in a significant economic slowdown affecting food supply chains. Thus, national and local governments, non-government organizations, private sector, media, civil society and academe work hand in hand toward eliminating malnutrition among nutritionally vulnerable groups who are all covered by the first 1000 days of life. These groups are the pregnant women, lactating mothers, and infants and young children aged 0-23 months old.
The first 1000 days of life strategy is one of the strategic thrusts of PPAN 2017-2022. Efforts on the First 1000 Days are backed with enabling policies:
- Republic Act 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act aims to strengthen the implementation of already existing interventions targeting groups within the First 1000 Days.
- Republic Act 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009
- Republic Act 11210
- Executive Order 51
Last January 2020, Executive Order 101 was issued, creating the Interagency Task Force on Zero Hunger under the leadership of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary. The Task Force launched the National Food Policy (NFP) as the roadmap towards zero hunger. It aims to involve stakeholders in a whole-of-nation approach in eradicating hunger, achieving food security, improving the nutrition situation, and promoting sustainable agriculture. In addition, the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) Movement was also organized to support from the private sector, NGOs and foundations, CSOs, and digital and media partners.
In support to the 2021 Nutrition Month campaign, the NNC Region X focused on digital efforts. To kick-start the celebration, a Virtual Launching and Talakayan sa PIA was done last 1 July 2021.
Through partner agencies and organizations, the Nutrition Month will be integrated in Pantawid educational modules and in the celebration week for persons with disabilities. First 1000 Days Short Filmmaking Contest and I-Flex Mo si Nanay! Photo Contest invite more advocacy materials from schools and individuals, respectively. Social media materials such as “Gabay ni Nanay sa Paglaki ni Baby”, First 1000 Days Matters, and 2021 Nutrition Month: Explained! are posted in the NNC X Facebook Page. Publication and advertorial; and airing of Nutrition Month radio plugs are also pursued. A culmination activity via webinar will also be scheduled within the month.
Moreover, the NNC started the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program last 8 March 2021 in all barangays of the eight (8) identified recipient local government units of Bukidnon. It covers 3,382 pregnant women beneficiaries, with priority to those who are nutritionally at-risk. Now, NNC X is preparing for the wet feeding scheme as continuation of the program.
With the presence of COVID-19, the call for actions on nutrition must be strengthened for the prevention and reduction of malnutrition. One cannot solve the problem alone, thus it needs collaborative efforts to achieve zero hunger in the country. (NO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi)
