RONDA 1 media group visits Eastern Visayas, exchanges notes with counterpart HIMSoG-8
By JACK C. GADAINGAN
July 30, 2019
TACLOBAN CITY – A contingent of 13 practitioners of the quad-media from Ilocos Region (Region 1) visited Eastern Visayas for a technical rendezvous with National Nutrition Council Region VIII (NNC-8) media-group partner Harmonized Initiatives of Media for the Spread of Good Nutrition in Region 8 (HIMSoG-8) on July 15-17, 2019.
The media personalities are members of the Regional Organization of Nutrition Development Advocates of Region 1 (RONDA 1), the media-group partner of NNC-Ilocos Region. Like HIMSoG-8, RONDA 1 is also into the fight against hunger and malnutrition in Region 1, through the persuasive use of media power.
RONDA 1 contingent was headed by its President Bernie Errasquin, with him were gentlemen Romeo Umipig, Harry Peralta, and Cesar Obar; with ladies Celestina Paz, Maricel Fonda, Charity Frianeza, Milagros Abuan, Gina Mae Villanueva, and Gloria Tuazon; and escorts from NNC-1 headed by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Ma. Eileen B. Blanco together with Kendall Pilgrim A. Gatan and No Wyli.
A contingent from HIMSoG-8 headed by President Antonio C. Pueblos welcomed the media-visitors on their arrival at the Tacloban City Airport, and after a whistle-stop breakfast in Palo town, in a two-van convoy the two media groups proceeded on a three-hour journey to Palompon town, west coast of Leyte Island where the serious activities were scheduled to transpire.
In Palompon, NNC-8 RNPC Doc. Catalino P. Dotollo Jr., joined the congregation for the courtesy call and interaction with newly installed Palompon Mayor Myra Georgina L. Arevalo. Then the nutrition advocates from Region 1 and Region 8 proceeded to the Polompon Institute of Technology (PIT) for the scheduled nutrition promotion activities, and to observe the operations of NNC stablished FM station Radyo Kausbawan, a Nutriskela Radyo run by the academe.
After lunch, RONDA 1 and HIMSoG-8 tackled the main agenda of exchanging accomplishments – with each group making presentation of each’s achievements, that was followed with questions and answers, and finding common grounds to share and adopt strategies to combat the common enemy, malnutrition! After which the media groups examined the broadcast booth of Radyo Kausbawan, which provided some the opportunity to air to local listeners their visit intentions to Region 8.
The following day, July 16, RONDA 1 with some members of HIMSoG-8 together with NNC-8 media conduit Novida Rico, proceeded to the town’s Tabuk Marine Park Fish and Bird Sanctuary, a five-minute boat ride distance from the town center, where RONDA 1 conducted a scheduled Program Implementation Review (PIR).
On the third day, July 17, RONDA 1 contingent with Novida Rico for a guide, got the chance to tour Tacloban City tourist and historical sites, and observe the local nutrition situation first hand – prior their flight back home the flowing day to Ilocos Region.
45th Nutrition Month launched in Tacloban
By JACK C. GADAINGAN
July 24, 2019
TACLOBAN CITY – Around 200 nutrition stakeholders in Eastern Visayas literally walk-the-talk as directed by the 45th Nutrition Month theme, “Kumain nang Wasto at Maging Aktibo…Push Natin ‘to!” by braving a slight drizzle to embark on an early morning Walkathon of approximately five kilometers in order to revel the regional launching of this year’s Nutrition Month on July 5, 2019 at the capitol grounds, here.
This rain and sweat drenching warm up was followed by another 30-minute session of Zumba prior to the unfolding of the more cerebral slanted activities.
Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo Jr., Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) of National Nutrition Council Region VIII (NNC-8), in his opening message, said this year’s Nutrition Month theme focuses on two viable: Kumain ng wasto – which is healthy diet, and Maging Aktibo – that is encouraging increased physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior. Push Natin ‘to! because we would want to pursue this activity beyond July and even 2019, he said.
In Kumain ng Wasto, Dotollo explained to eat balanced food particularly a variety from the three basic food groups Go, Grow and Glow – referring to Pinggang Pinoy where the Glow composes 50%, and Go and Grow another 50% of the whole meal; in Maging Aktibo, to engage more in physical activity and not just be sitting (idle). The RNPC cited recent studies baring trend of non-communicable diseases getting higher in the country and even in Region 8, particularly on cases of obesity and overweight. He recommended home gardening as a productive way to being active.
Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, in a message delivered by former Vice Gov. Nestor “Gangang” Villasin, paid tribute to the local government officials who, despite the insufficient resources, are still able to provide their constituents with the best possible nutritional care. I want to congratulate you for your innovative health and nutrition programs, he said.
Regional Director Minerva P. Molon, Department of Health Region VIII (DoH-8), said this year’s Nutrition Month theme is just fitting, because as we journey to fight our battle in addressing double-burden-malnutrition in the region, data shows that while we are making progress in reducing under nutrition such as wasting and stunting, overweight and obesity is also increasing across all ages, and majority of our adults are physically inactive!
A press conference initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in coordination with NNC-8 media-group partner Harmonized Initiative of Media for the Spread of Good Nutrition in Region 8 (HIMSoG-8) followed the thematic talks.
The launching program was capped with a “Nutrimizing Race,” that was participated per-agency and nutrition-stakeholder groups present.
Meanwhile, it was learned that the four FM radio stations established by the NNC in Eastern Visayas have conducted a simultaneous “Nutri Eskwela Radio Program – Nutrition Month Launching” on July 1, 2019. These are the Radyo Kabulig based in San Policarpo town and Radyo Kauswagan based in Borongan City both in Eastern Samar province, and Radyo Kasugbong in Catubig, Northern Samar and Radyo Kausbawan based in Palompon, Leyte.
Further it was gathered that a series of activities have been lined up for the month-long celebration among them: an “Asin Summit” on July 26, 2019 and a “Barangay Nutrition Scholar Day” on July 30, 2019.
LGUs urged to submit approved Annual Investment Plan with nutrition allocations
By JACK C. GADAINGAN
July 18, 2019
TACLOBAN CITY – Department of Health Region VIII (DoH-8) Regional Nutrition Program Manager Felecita R. Borata called on the lead-nutrition workers representing local government units (LGUs) to submit to the National Nutrition Council Region 8 (NNC-8) the approved year 2019 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) from their respective LGUs.
This came about after Niño Archie S. Labordo, NNC-8 Nutrition Officer III, presented the status of 2019 AIP submissions from Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) focus areas. Reportedly the LGUs that have submitted their approved 2019 AIPs are: the towns of Caibiran, Biliran, Villareal, Tarangnan, Sta. Rita and Daram, and the Province of Northern Samar.
No submissions yet were received from the provincial LGU of Biliran and its six remaining municipalities; the provincial LGU of Samar including its two cities and 20 municipalities; 22 municipalities of Northern Samar; and the provincial LGU of Eastern Samar, its capital city and 22 municipalities.
This was gathered during the Joint Nutrition Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG), Province/City Nutrition Action Officers (P/CNAOs) and District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/CNPCs) first quarter meeting held on March 1, 2019 at Alejandro Hotel, here.
The same call was reiterated during the same RTWG, P/CNAOs, and D/CNPCs joint second quarter meeting held on June 11, 2019 at the COA Training Center, Palo, Leyte.
The four provinces considered as focus-areas for the implementation of PPAN 2017-2022 in Region 8 are: Eastern Samar, its component 22 municipalities and one city; Northern Samar and component 24 municipalities; Samar and component 24 municipalities and two cities; and the island-province of Biliran and eight component municipalities.
The integration of Local Nutrition Action Plans (LNAPs) into the Local Development Plans and AIPs of LGUs ensued when Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año, issued Memorandum Circular 2018-42 dated 26 March 2018 sustaining: the Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022, stipulating the guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of DILG field offices and LGUs in the implementation of the PPAN.
The memo-circular enjoins LGUs to formulate their local nutrition action plans (LNAPs) – based on PPAN 2017-2022 programs applicable to their respective localities, and to include them in their Local Development Plans and AIPs, to ensure adequate funding for nutritional impact.
As this developed, it was clarified that the nutrition status of a local government unit (LGU) will be an additional dimension in the conferment of the “Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG),” thereby accordingly prioritizing nutrition outlay in LGUs’ AIPs starting Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, might in fact be a healthy investment for localities.
Save the Children Philippines calls on mothers to breastfeed newborns as national nutrition survey reveals rising cases of malnutrition among babies and pre-schoolers
Press Release
July 5, 2019
MAKATI CITY – Save the Children Philippines urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their newborns as malnutrition remains on steady rise among babies and pre-schoolers in the country.
Lawyer Albert Muyot, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Save the Children Philippines said community health and nutrition workers should intensify campaigns on breastfeeding, complementary feeding and proper nutrition particularly among children of deprived families and marginalized communities.
He raised concern over the results of the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) presented last June 24 which showed increasing prevalence of malnutrition and anemia among babies and toddlers.
Atty. Muyot said the nutrition survey serves as “a wake-up call” in time for Nutrition Month being observed every July.
Anemia cases among babies six to 11 months increased to 48.2% in 2018 from 40.5% in 2013, while anemia among toddlers aged one to two years old have increased to 35.4% last year from 24.7% in 2013.
Stunting, a life threatening condition due to chronic undernutrition remains high at 36.6% for children two years old in 2018, from 36.2% in 2013.
Malnutrition among pre-schoolers is also high particularly among three years old at 33.8% in 2018 from 38.6 in 2013; and four years old at 30.2% last year from 36.8 in 2013.
“Exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years old will provide critical nutrients and protection to infants against life threatening diseases and improve their immune system,” said Muyot.
Globally, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months prevents deaths of 1.3 million children below five years old every year.
Save the Children Philippines had been campaigning to eradicate malnutrition among children through maternal and child health and nutrition programs for children and pregnant and lactating mothers in deprived areas in the cities of Malabon, Navotas and Caloocan of Metro Manila as well as conflict affected areas of Mindanao.
Muyot urged local leaders to implement Republic Act 11148 or the First 1,000 Days Law that ensures optimum health and nutrition for children from conception up to two years old.
He said the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is considered a “critical window of opportunity” when physical growth and brain development are very crucial, and damage could be permanent or irreversible.
“We call on local government leaders to invest in safe motherhood and children’s health and well-being by providing more funds for maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition programs,” said Mr. Muyot.
He lauded the cities of Malabon, Navotas and Caloocan that have adopted the First 1,000 Days law into local city ordinances and allocated funds to improve the health and nutrition status of pregnant and lactating mothers and children below two years old.
Dr. Amado Parawan, Health and Nutrition Advisor of Save the Children Philippines said government programs on maternal and child health and nutrition should focus on priority areas with high malnutrition rates, mostly in conflict affected areas in Mindanao.
“We need to focus our nutrition programs in priority areas with high malnutrition rates to achieve the targets in the 2017-2022 Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition,” said Dr. Parawan who serves as private sector representative to the National Nutrition Council Governing Board.
Save the Children Philippines advocated for the passage of Republic Act 11148, known as Kalusugan ng Mag-Nanay Act to implement maternal and child health and nutrition in the first 1,000 days of the child’s life using the Nurturing Care Framework developed by the World Health Organization, World Bank and UNICEF.
“Malnutrition is a very complex problem with long-term effects physically, mentally and socially. With the passage of RA 11148, now is the perfect time to mobilize collaborative actions from all sectors. We should always remember that takes a village to raise and nurture a child,” said Dr. Parawan.
Download: Republic Act 11148 (First 1000 Days Law)
HIMSoG-8 gears for Nutrition Month 2019 launching
By JACK C. GADAINGAN
June 24, 2019
TACLOBAN CITY – To provide maximum media exposure by covering nutrition activities in each’s respective localities for the upcoming Nutrition Month of July, was among the consensuses reached by the members of Harmonized Initiative of Media for the Spread of Good Nutrition in Region 8 (HIMSoG-8) during it 2nd Quarter Meeting on June 8, 2019.
The meeting was boosted by the attendance of two Nutriskwela Radio Station managers namely Marvin Morallos of Radyo Kabulig based in San Policarpo town, and Reynan Rivera of Radyo Kauswagan based in Borongan City both in Eastern Samar province.
The two Nutriskwela Community Radio are among the four FM-radio stations established by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Eastern Visayas. The other two are Radyo Kasugbong located in Catubig, Northern Samar, and Radyo Kausbawan situated in Palompon, Leyte.
Said FM radio stations are strategically situated in areas with high malnutrition incidence, with aim to reach the people in the remote and grassroots areas. The stations are operated through a Community Radio Council with the main objective of curbing if not eradicating malnutrition.
Meanwhile, this year’s Nutrition Month carries the theme: Kumain nang wasto at maging aktibo…push natin’to! A series of nutrition-promotion activities have been scheduled to advance the theme during the month-long celebration, and the regional launching is set be conducted in Tacloban City on July 5, 2019.
Further, HIMSoG-8 headed by its President Antonio C. Pueblos, DYOG-Calbayog manager, is likewise into preparation for the visit of its counterpart media-body in Region 1, Regional Organization of Nutrition Development Advocates of Region 1 (RONDA 1), the media-group partner of NNC Ilocos Region.
Among the activities expected for this rendezvous is an exchange of accomplishments, and a program implementation review (PIR) and planning workshop.
It was also learned likewise the media-group partner of Region IV-A and Region IV-B, CALABARZON and respectively MIMAROPA, both under supervision of one Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Carina Z. Santiago, are also set to visit Eastern Visayas region in October to meet and exchange notes with HIMSoG-8.