On 7 March 2022, the National Nutrition Council Region III conducted an Advocacy Meeting with Non-Government Organizations, Private Sectors and members of the Central Luzon Regional Nutrition Committee on the Establishment of Central Luzon Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Network Movement.

The SUN Movement is a transformed effort to eliminate all forms of malnutrition. It is founded on the principle that everyone has a right to food and good nutrition. The movement is distinct because it aims to gather different groups of people, such as national government agencies, civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses, academe, and scientists, to form networks that will work in collective action to improve nutrition. The movement’s efforts are towards strengthening the political commitments and the accountability for these commitments, thus, it is not a fund, an institution nor an agency.

The advocacy meeting became an avenue to convene NGAs, NGOs and private sectors in Central Luzon. The meeting recognized that collaborating with the NGOs is key to achieving greater results and to scale-up nutrition and related programs. The activity was participated by ADD Foundation International Inc. & La Verdad Christian College, AKO Ang Saklay Inc., Bifinificiaries International Foundation Inc, Children's Bible Ministries Phils., Inc., Casita Pagasa Inc , Diocese of San Jose Nueva Ecija Social Action Commission, Fresh Hope Refuge Shelter Inc., Gentle Hands Inc., LFCI KPP Kasanib sa Pagabot ng Pangarap,Inc., Lost Coin Ministries Foundation Inc., St. Augustine Sambali Fund, Inc. Members of the Regional Nutrition Technical Working Group, namely: Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Information Agency and Philippine National Police, were also present.

Ms. Ana Maria B. Rosaldo, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator highlighted the meaning and importance of Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement. According to her, SUN Movement is a renewed effort to eliminate malnutrition, based on the principle that everyone has a right to food and good nutrition. She discussed the SUN Movement vision, that "By 2030, ensure a world free from malnutrition in all its forms". Led by governments and supported by organizations and individuals' collective action, the SUN will ensure that every child, adolescent, mother and family can realize their right to food and nutrition, reach their full potential and shape sustainable and prosperous societies.

NPC Rosaldo also emphasized the benefits that nutrition will provide to the human capital of every country or its people. Good nutrition during the first 1000 days of a child’s life is critical to achieve the full physical, intellectual and human potential in adolescent and adulthood. Investing in nutrition will produce positive outcome.

Just like other regions, Central Luzon is also experiencing the triple burden of malnutrition - while the region addresses undernutrition, stunting, wasting, over nutrition which includes overweight and obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies are also prevalent in the region.

The SUN envisions a world free from malnutrition by 2030. Its goal is to speed up the progress towards World Health Assembly global targets on all forms of malnutrition.

The activity ended with a closing message of NPC Rosaldo, thanking the participants for attending the meeting, as the first step or partnership toward the achievement of the WHA's goal of a world free from malnutrition.

By:

ROSE ANNE CUYCO
Nutrition Officer II