The National Nutrition Council XII under the leadership of Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Retsebeth M. Laquihon, officially launched the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement 3.0 held on November 18, 2021 via Zoom videoconference. The event marked an important milestone for NNC XII in its efforts to improve health and nutrition for the region’s constituents as well as in the fulfilment in bringing forward outstanding nutritional outcomes. A total of 58 participants attended the event composed of Local Nutrition Focal Points, Local Chief Executives, Non-government Agencies and joined by various representatives from the Business Network sectors, Civil Society Alliances, Developmental Partners and from the Academe.
The Scaling Up Movement (SUN) 3.0, the third phase of the United Nations-established movement, calls for accelerated results among various stakeholders and other sectors to enhance leadership and ownership of nutrition actions from the national to sub-national levels to achieve results and ultimately contribute towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These includes supporting nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive actions through strengthened food, health, and social protection systems and with a focus on gender and economic equity.
The virtual event was graced by an inspirational message from the Assistant Secretary and Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles. Regional Director of DOH-CHD XII and Regional Nutrition Committee Chairperson, Dr. Aristides C. Tan was also present during the said event who gave the Welcome message.
“We must strategize for an aligned multi-sectoral and multi-faceted approach in addressing the nutritional needs of the country. In this time where our progress is threatened, whatever gains we have more than ever, we need to scale up our efforts and investments to protect the nutritionally at risk and vulnerable specially the children and pregnant women” says NNC Executive Director Dr. Dayanghirang in her message, who is also a Member of the SUN Global Executive Committee representing the Asia and Papua New Guinea region and the SUN Country Coordinator for the Philippines.
On the otherhand Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles explained in his message that undernutrition may lead to long term irreversible effects such as impaired physical growth and cognitive development. Needless to say, this could have crippling effects on the economic progress of our country.
NO III Annalita Mae V. Flores discussed the Regional Nutrition Situation and Initiatives, while RNPC Retsebeth M. Laquihon presented the Overview of the SUN Movement. Aside from the Ceremonial Launching of the SUN Movement 3.0, other highlights of the activity were the Messages of Support from the selected partners representing various sectors to wit: Hon. Ronnel C. Rivera, Regional Development Council XII Chair and City Mayor of General Santos represented by City Nutrition Action Officer-Dr. Rochelle Oco, Francisco Gil N. Garcia, RPAE, Ph.D, President of University of Southern Mindanao Kabacan, Cotabato representing the Academe Sector, Save the Children Head of Office (Southern Mindanao), Ms. Ivy G. Caballes, RN representing the Development Partners and Mr. Shane Paul Baula, RN, Vice-President for Mindanao of Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines, representing the Civil Society Alliance. Breakout sessions was also done to process the commitments of each sector in line with the aims of SUN Movement.
The launch was capped with the Ways Forward given by RNPC Laquihon. In her closing message, she emphasized that by working together thru shared efforts and resources, we could be able to scale up our actions in pushing critical interventions particularly in the First 1000 days of Life to prevent, manage and eradicate the problems of stunting affecting the children. She added that by making those commitments into reality will pave way towards nutrition development in the region. (NO IIAurel/NO IIIFlores/RNPC)
