PALO, Leyte - The National Nutrition Council8 (NNC8) has conducted a series of consultation sessions and focus group discussions (FGDs) with target stakeholders including indigenous peoples and community nutrition implementers in selected areas of Leyte, Samar, and Northern Samar.

The series of FGD is part of the preparation for the Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) called KUMAIN (Kasapatan at Ugnayan ng Mamamayan sa Akmang Pagkain at Nutrisyon) under the World Bank.

It aims to gather inputs and suggestions from prospective indigenous people (IP) stakeholders and beneficiaries and to assess the health and nutrition situation of the communities under this proposed project.

The Department of Health (DOH)-NNC and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will lead the project implementation, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology -Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.

The NNC, as facilitators, used the methodology crafted by the DOH-NCC central office composed of four parts namely health and nutrition concerns in the community, gender issues in relation to health and nutrition, nutrition-sensitive programs to address these concerns and recommendations for the PMNP.

In the region, the FGD for Leyte nutrition implementers, with its participants coming from the towns of Bato, Hilongos and Matalom, was held on April 7, 2021. On the other hand, implementers from the towns of Marabut and Basey, representing Samar province, joined the face-to-face FGD on May 5, 2021.

For the IPs, the Mamanwa tribe of Basey, Samar and Badjaos of Bato, Leyte, joined the FGD in their respective towns on May 5 and 6, respectively.

Both groups recommended a strengthened livelihood and agriculture programs, health and nutrition services and advocacies.  

Meanwhile, the group from Northern Samar joined the FGD via virtual platform with the municipalities of San Roque, Pambujan, Rosario, Mapanas, Victoria and the Provincial Health Office of Northern Samar in attendance.

With the threat of COVID 19, all FGDs were conducted in a bigger venue with proper ventilation to ensure physical distancing, while face masks and alcohol were provided to all participants in adherence to minimum health standards. NASLabordo/GSabalza