PALO, LEYTE – In its Second Meeting of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) held last October 28, 2020 at the DOH VIII Conference Room, Candahug, Palo, Leyte, the Committee discussed and approved RNC Resolution No. 6, series of 2020, entitled, “Enjoining All Local Government Units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas to Support the Implementation of the National Dietary Supplementation Program for Nutritionally-at-risk (NAR) pregnant women and children from 6-23 months old”.
Dietary Supplementation Program (DSP) is one of the nutrition-specific interventions identified under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 to produce nutritional outcomes to achieve the goal of reducing maternal and child mortality with an outcome target of reduction of child stunting and wasting, and micronutrient deficiency and no increase in child overweight and obesity, likewise reduction in the proportion of nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women as a sub-outcome target.
During the discussion, the Committee clarified the alarming nutrition situation of the region. Herewith, Eastern Visayas in the 2015 National Nutrition Survey conducted by the DOST-FNRI, exhibited 41.7 percent stunting, higher than the national prevalence of 33.4 percent and a prevalence of nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women of 23.1 percent which is close to the national prevalence of 24.8 percent and is the 10th highest among the regions in the country.
In his presentation, RNC Secretary, RNPC Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr., backed up the approval of the resolution with (1) Executive Order No. 101 Creating the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger; (2) National Nutrition Cluster Advisory 2 dated 28 April 2020 which recommends all local government units and their partners to healthy and nutritious food packs and sustainable food sources; and the recent Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 76 dated October 2, 2020, endorsing the dietary supplementation program for Nutritionally-at-Risk (NAR) pregnant women and children from 6 to 23 months old, who will receive cash or food packs as part of the dietary supplementation program.
RNC Chairperson RD Minerva P. Molon who attended virtually lauded the Committee for considering the resolution important especially during the pandemic. The call for a well-nourished community, especially the children and women, is but a responsibility of all.
The said resolution was endorsed through a motion by Dr. Hilaria Bustamante of the Eastern Visayas State University which was unanimously seconded.
To address the nutritional gaps in total calories, protein, and micronutrients, and improve the nutrition status of the target beneficiaries, LGUs are enjoined to prioritize the program and provide budgets, especially in their 2021 Annual Investment Program.
Supplementary feeding now called Dietary Supplementation Program is an important strategy to address hunger and malnutrition. #NASLabordo
