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In the recent Visayas launch of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028 in Cebu City, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) revealed that Cebu and Negros Oriental in Central Visayas are among the 34 identified priority provinces in the country, which require more nutrition interventions from various government and private stakeholders.
These provinces have been identified based on the magnitude of stunting among 0 to 59 months old children (malnutrition), the magnitude of population with households with per capita income below the food poverty threshold (food insecurity), and economic capacity.
The identified areas have high to moderate levels of food insecurity, high magnitude of malnutrition, and high need for financial assistance. According to the NNC, focusing on these areas is “a means of convergence for greater impact.”
The NNC Region VII, represented by its Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Parolita A. Mission, echoed NNC’s national call for local government units (LGUs) to implement national nutrition policies, develop and execute tailored nutrition programs and services, conduct nutrition education campaigns, and invest in infrastructure and facilities to enhance nutrition access including hiring of full time nutrition personnel and create nutrition offices in all city and municipal LGU in the country.
LGUs are also called to establish monitoring and evaluation systems for nutrition initiatives, collaborate with the private sector to leverage resources, support food security through sustainable agriculture practices, and advocate for policies prioritizing nutrition and healthy food environments.
The NNC encouraged non-government organizations and the private sector to contribute to achieving nutrition outcomes by providing nutrient supplementation, supporting advocacy efforts, delivering nutrition education, and engaging in partnership with the government on nutrition initiatives, among others.
These nutrition actions are commitments to the PPAN 2023–2028 that is intended as an evidence-based plan to improve the health and nutrition outcomes of the country in the next 5 years and, consequently, uplifting the quality of life of the next generation of Filipinos.
The PPAN’s goal is to reduce the five major nutrition and related problems across life stages, including undernutrition, overnutrition, micronutrient deficiency, inadequate infant and young child feeding practices, and food insecurity. // PR by NNC Region VII