Better implementation of nutrition programs are in progress as the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) approved four new resolutions during the 2nd RNC meeting held on June 29, 2016 at El Cielito Inn, Baguio City.
The discussed resolutions deal with scaling up nutrition education for the poor, improving the status of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), recognition of high performing Local Government Units (LGUs) and adoption of LGU mobilization strategies.
Better knowledge and awareness on proper nutrition for the poor was highlighted during the resolution discussions. It intends to adopt nutrition modules developed from the Nutrition Center of the Philippines’ “Pabasa sa Nutrisyon”. It will be integrated to the Family Development Sessions (FDS) under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Pilot areas are set to be in selected municipalities of Abra namely Malibcong, Luba and Tineg.
Improved status for BNS was discussed with the RNC deciding to help stir the process that could lead to amendment of PD 1569 or the Barangay Nutrition Scholar Program. Taking from the petition prepared by the National Federation of BNSs, the RNC supported among others the proposal to upgrade the BNS to salaried workers with a remuneration of 5000 pesos a month plus allowance depending on their LGU’s capacity. In addition, the proposal requests security of tenure and scholarships to immediate family members.
Recognition will also be given to LGUs with significant contribution to the MDG targets for 2015. In particular, those with consistent decreases in malnutrition rates, those with less than 1% malnutrition prevalence and barangays with zero malnutrition rates in the last three years will be provided. Certificates of recognition during the 2016 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony is set for October.
A resolution was also approved regarding a “shepherding strategy” which aims to improve the nutrition status of low performing areas through assistance from high performing LGUs and from a core team of the Regional Technical Assistants on Nutrition (RTAN) members. The strategy also aims to help improve nutritionally depressed municipalities improve the nutritional status in their respective areas. In addition, the strategy also aims to help high achieving LGUs be able to sustain their performance or further improve performance as they compete for national awards on nutrition.
According to Ms. Rita Papey of the National Nutrition Council (NNC), such will empower not only the high achieving LGUs but also improve the status of nutrition in several areas.
“These resolutions will help in improving the achievement of nutrition goals. The first two are focused more on attaining equity in terms of providing assistance to the poor while the others recognize high performing LGUs and reach out to the low performers.”
With the approval of these resolutions, it is expected that the nutrition rates within the region will continue to improve in the following years.** Arianne Nebrida
