Cebu City- The National Nutrition Council Region VII (NNC 7), the Regional Nutrition Committee in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region VII, and the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas – Central Visayas led the 2024 Forum on Nutrition for Punong Barangays via NNC 7 Facebook page on Friday, 19 July 2024 with the theme “Kapitan sa Nutrisyon e-PPANanalo natin to!” emphasizing that roles of the barangays in the implementation the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028, so as the triple burden of malnutrition will be resolved.
According to the recent nutrition message recall survey conducted by EON as commissioned by the NNC, 64 percent of the population in Central Visayas are unaware of the PPAN 2023-2028.
“I hope that through this forum including the two inputs and panel discussion later, our Punong Barangays and members of the local nutrition committees will have a greater understanding of the PPAN, its goals, and objectives, the multi-sectoral nature of nutrition and appreciate the different nutrition specific nutrition-sensitive and enabling interventions to address the age-old problem of malnutrition,” NNC 7 regional nutrition coordinator Dr. Parolita A. Mission said in her opening message.
Mission added that at the end of the forum, she hopes everyone, specifically Barangay leaders, will have a clearer picture of managing nutrition programs in their respective barangays and improve the health and well-being of their constituents.
During the forum, Ms. Nasudi G. Soluta, Nutrition Officer III of the NNC 7 extensively discussed PPAN 2023-2028. Her presentation centered on the goals and targets of PPAN, the triple strategies to solve the triple burden of malnutrition, and the relationship of PPAN to the Barangay Nutrition Action Plan (BNAP).
Another notable discussion in the forum was the proposed policies, plans, and programs for the barangays by Ms. Sheryl C. Sedantes the Nutrition Officer III of the National Nutrition Council Region VI and OIC- Nutrition Program Coordinator of Negros Island Region. Her discussion centered around the Barangay Nutrition Committee, BNAP, and the national and regional policies for adoption, and how to streamline PPAN programs, projects, and activities into the BNAP.
Part of the forum was a panel discussion to provide insights and ways to help manage and improve Barangay Governance for the nutrition program. The organizers invited five esteemed panelists who shared their best practices in handling nutrition programs in their respective barangays. Among the panelists were Brgy. Captain Arlene M. Rosario of Azagra, Tanjay City; Brgy. Captain Gerry R. Escobido of Cambaol, Alicia, Bohol; Brgy. Treasurer Analiza B. Fernandez of Poblacion, Samboan, Cebu; the President of Canlaon Association of Barangay Nutrition Action Officers (CABNAO) and BNAO Julieta V. Layogue of Brgy. Lumapad, Canlaon City; and the program head of RAFI-Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund and Convener Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance, Ms. Jenny Lea T. Menchavez.
“We are all part of the problem. Nobody is exempted. Because of that, we can also be part of the solution” said Menchavez. She also added that everyone must be involved including government, civil society, business, academia, youth, and even children can be part of the solution because in PPAN “sama-sama sa nutrisyong sapat para sa lahat.” Everyone must act on it for the communities to have a brighter future and for the Philippines. //Jodelyn J. Alvarico, Intern, CTU
