ILOILO – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) has called upon Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) to intensify their efforts in implementing the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) for the years 2023-2028 in a significant push towards combating malnutrition in this province.
Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, the assistant secretary and executive director of NNC, said BNS are key in the local implementation of nutrition programs.
She spoke at the 2nd BNS Convention held on Thursday morning, August 1, in Iloilo City.
“The implementation of the PPAN from the national down to the barangay level is crucial for our province’s progress. Each BNS plays a critical role in ensuring the success of these nutrition initiatives,” said Dayanghirang.
PPAN 2023-2028 is a strategic, multi-sectoral, multi-level and directional plan to address all forms of malnutrition and also a framework for action and guide for government’s commitment in addressing food and nutrition security challenges.
The convention, themed “BNS: Bayani ng Nutrisyon at Serbisyo, Bida sa Pagsulong ng PPAN tungo sa MoRProGRes ILOILO,” saw the participation of around 1,300 nutrition scholars from various barangays.
The BNS are tasked with a range of responsibilities, from conducting regular monitoring and evaluation activities like Operation Timbang Plus, to nutrition advocacy and awareness campaigns. These activities are fundamental in ensuring effective community response to malnutrition.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, under whose leadership the convention was organized by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), reiterated the commitment of local government units to support the BNS.
“Our nutrition scholars are instrumental in our fight against malnutrition. They are the frontlines, bringing essential nutrition services directly to the people who need them the most,” she said.
The convention also addressed the multi-sectoral approach required to tackle malnutrition, calling for enhanced collaboration among local government units, healthcare providers, and community leaders to prioritize nutrition and health.
Highlighting the broader impact of the BNS’s work, Dayanghirang outlined various PPAN interventions planned for the next five years, including the establishment of community food gardens, improvement of maternal health services, and social behavior change programs for nutritional education across all age groups.
This initiative is in line with the provincial government’s “MoRProGRes Iloilo” development mantra, which aims to uplift the overall health and wellbeing of the Iloilo community through strategic, integrated, and community-focused nutrition actions.
PPAN Interventions to Combat Malnutrition
Dayanghirang outlined a comprehensive suite of interventions under the PPAN aimed at addressing malnutrition across various provinces including Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and Antique.
The PPAN framework focuses on four key areas: healthier diets, better practices, improved access to quality services, and an enabling environment. These interventions are designed to promote healthier diets through increased availability, accessibility, and affordability of nutritious foods.
Key strategies include the establishment and maintenance of food gardens in schools, communities, and workplaces; completion of farm-to-market roads; enhancement of market infrastructures; and the implementation of the KADIWA program, which ensures food availability at affordable prices especially in low-income communities.
Additional measures involve dietary supplementation, food stamps or cash transfers, food fortification, and strict monitoring of the Philippine Milk Code (EO 51).
In terms of adopting better nutritional practices, the NNC encourages the adoption of behaviors that contribute to optimal health and well-being. This includes comprehensive maternal health packages, promotion and counseling for infant and young child feeding, community support for breastfeeding, and integrated social behavior change programs targeting various demographic groups from infants to older adults.
To improve access to quality services, the plan integrates maternal and child health services with nutrition services in schools and community settings. Initiatives also cover growth monitoring, adolescent health programs, family development sessions, and the management of acute malnutrition among older adults.
Creating an enabling environment is another critical aspect of the PPAN. This involves establishing and utilizing an integrated data management system for health, food security, nutrition, and social protection to inform decision-making.
Regular monitoring and impact assessment of food and nutrition security policies are also emphasized to ensure their effectiveness.
Furthermore, the NNC aims to increase the capacity and incentives for personnel delivering multi-sectoral nutrition interventions and secure adequate financing for these programs./PN
