ILOILO – A total of 1,721 punong barangays in this province will gather for the first Punong Barangay Nutrition Congress from April 10 to 11 at Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo, Iloilo City.
Themed “Punong Barangays: Championing Nutrition Towards MoRProGRes Iloilo,” the congress organized by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) aims to enhance the understanding of the punong barangays of their roles as chairperson of the Barangay Nutrition Committee as part of their Devolution Transition Plan.
“Ginakilala naton ang critical nga parte sang barangay sa nutrition program. Gani ang Iloilo Provincial Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars kaupod ang provincial government magapanguna sa paghiwat sang labing una nga Nutrition Congress sang Iloilo province,” said Dr. Wendel Tupas-Marcelo, Provincial Health Officer I.
Marcelo added the provincial government continues to implement programs, projects and activities to further improve the province’s nutrition situation as part of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s development mantra MoRProGRes Iloilo.
The congress also aims to help punong barangays in learning and supporting the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028 so that no child will be left behind.
Since PPAN 2023-2028’s launch in the province in November 2023, Marcelo said the Provincial Nutrition Committee and Provincial Nutrition Technical Working Group have been working tirelessly for the nutrition plan to be adopted by local leaders, decision-makers, partners, stakeholders, and barangays.
The main goal of PPAN 2023-2028 is to reduce all forms of malnutrition by 2028, focusing on undernutrition, overnutrition, micronutrient deficiency, food insecurity, and inadequate infant and young child feeding practices.
“Pagkatapos sang congress, gina-ekspektar nga ang aton mga participants magapanguna sa paghimu sang ila Barangay Nutrition Action Plan para maka-implement sila sang mga program, proyekto kag aktibidades para ma-improve ang nutrition status sang ila kabarangayan,” Marcelo added.
Asssistant Secretary Azucena M. Dayanghirang, executive director of the National Nutrition Council (NNC), will serve as the keynote speaker.
Also attending the congress are representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 and Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 to discuss different health programs.
To recall, Sheryl C. Sedantes, officer-in-charge, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of the NNC Region 6, said PPAN 2023-2028 is structured around three sub-goals: Matatag (stable), Maginhawa (comfortable), and Panatag (secure) life for every Filipino, encompassing strong community ties, freedom from hunger and poverty, sufficient resources for daily needs, and a long, healthy life.
During PPAN 2023-2028’s launch in Metro Manila on September 4, 2023, highlighted were the four calls to action for stakeholders: prioritize nutrition and food security interventions, build strong partnerships, accelerate the implementation of evidence-based interventions, and promote nourishment and well-being.
“Our PPAN 2023-2028 is a roadmap to tackle all forms of malnutrition, contributing to the nation’s overall growth,” Sedantes said.
Here is the complete list of PPAN 2023-2028 priority areas: Leyte, Sulu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Samar, Lanao Del Norte, Masbate, Palawan, Basilan, Cebu, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Maguindanao, Bukidnon, Iloilo, Cavite, Bulacan, Cotabato, Oreintal Mindoro, Pangasinan, Rizal, Davao Del Sur, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Pampanga, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Surigao Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Antique, and Tawi-tawi./PN
