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Category: Region 4b

Published: 15 August 2014

“We (Filipinos) are known to be tough and determined to survive. Preparedness is an important factor during news outbreak on storm signals. We believe that hunger and malnutrition can be prevented despite natural disasters coming our ways.” – Diane B. Fabicon, 14 years old

As part of NNC-MIMAROPA’s Nutrition Month Celebration, a Digital Photo Competition was organized which aimed to depict the theme of the 2014 Nutrition Month, “Kalamidad Paghandan, Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan!” and serve as a campaign to promote awareness on the importance of preparedness in the prevention of hunger and malnutrition in times of disasters and calamities.

A total of twenty (20) photo entries were received from the period 9 June to 30 July 2014. Twelve (12) members of the Regional Nutrition Committee judged the photo entries during the 2^nd Regional Nutrition Committee Meeting on 31 July. Ms. Yrish Nicole Ann G. Aceveda, 12 years old, of Oriental Mindoro National High School got the First Place, Mr. Josh Pypers A. Macalintal, 14 years old, of Aurelio Arago Memorial National High School got the Second Place, and Ms. Diane B. Fabicon, 14 years old, of Nabuslot National High School got the Third Place.

Winners of the Digital Photo Competition were notified via phone and prizes will be delivered via courier. 

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Category: Region 4b

Published: 01 August 2014

15-16 July 2014 – Inspite of raised typhoon signals caused by typhoon Glenda, the National Nutrition Council-MIMAROPA together with the Health and Emergency Management Staff – Department of Health (HEMS-DOH) MIMAROPA, pushed through with the Nutrition Stakeholders’ Forum and Planning Workshop for Nutrition in Emergencies at the Atrium Hotel, A. Luna cor. Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City. As one of the Regional Nutrition Month Activities of MIMAROPA, it aimed to equip our health and nutrition workers with knowledge to coordinate, mobilize and assist our local personnel in planning for occurrence of unwanted calamities and disasters in MIMAROPA Region, particularly on Nutrition in Emergencies. Eighty-nine (89) participants attended the activity with representatives from the Regional Nutrition Committee, Local Government Units such as Provincial/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators, Planning Officers and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers, and media practitioners.

With the objective to impart valuable knowledge through fact-based studies and experiences that will initiate creation of an effective Disaster Preparedness and Nutrition Response plan for every provinces and municipalities of MIMAROPA Region, a number of resource persons were invited to discuss the different facts and phases of Disaster Preparedness and Nutrition Response. Resource speakers include (1) Ms. Nieves Bonifacio, Office of the Civil Defense-MIMAROPA Training Officer; (2) Mr. Ramonito Martin, Health Emergency Management Staff-DOH MIMAROPA Regional Coordinator; (3) Ms. Margarita DC Enriquez, NPPD-NNC Central Office Nutrition Officer; (4) Mr. Alessandro Iellamo, UNICEF Consultant; (5) Dr. Amado Parawan, Save the Children Foundation Coordinator; (6) Mr. Dominik Koeppl, UNICEF Information Management Officer; and (7) Ms. Teresita Silo-Ramos, Laguna Provincial Nutrition Action Officer. 

Highlights of event were discussions on the Philippine Disaster Situation; Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which provides the legal basis for policies, plans and programs to deal with disasters; Risk Maps available in MIMAROPA; Overview of the Health Emergency Management System; The Nutrition Cluster – Roles and Function; Minimum Service Package during emergencies; and sharing of experiences and expertise on preparedness during disaster and calamities that focused on emergency response for Typhoon Yolanda, Infant and Young Child Feeding Issues during Emergencies, Information Management during Typhoon Yolanda and Laguna’s Local Government Unit Preparedness and Response during Habagat.

Result of the discussions led to participating 33 Local Government Units to draft their Disaster Preparedness and Nutrition Response Plan with the following agreements: a) organize Local Nutrition Clusters as part of their Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee (DRRMC) and b) integrate their finalized Disaster Preparedness and Nutrition Response Plan to the Local DRRMC Plan.

OIC-RNPC Santiago believes that this activity is part of MIMAROPA’s initiative to ensure that all LGUs in MIMAROPA will be prepared for Nutrition in Emergencies. As parting words for all the participants, she encouraged everyone to mobilize resources effectively and comprehensively manage the local nutrition clusters using a timely, accurate, and reliable plan for nutrition in emergencies to help ensure that the nutritional status of affected populations, especially the vulnerable group e.g. infants, young children, elderly, pregnant and lactating women, will not worsen.

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Category: Region 4b

Published: 15 August 2014

31 July 2014 – In order to have a more coordinated and effective response structure and response mechanism during calamities and disasters, NNC MIMAROPA organized the Regional Nutrition Cluster at the Fersal Hotel, P. Tuazon Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City. This consisted of members of the Regional Nutrition Committee of MIMAROPA. In attendance during the meeting were Dir. Cristina V. Castillo, PIA; Dir. Erlinda V. Armada, DAR; Ms. Sheryl B. Sarabia, NEDA; Ms. Marieta Alvis-Setias, DA; Ms. Chona C. Zamora, DENR; Ms. Maria Lewina A. Tolentino, NFA; Ms. Minda B. Tuburan, DTI; Ms. Niña Kristina V. Perez, DOH; Ms. Myra M. Regencia, TESDA; Ms. Rosita S. Liwagon, NCIP; Mr. Jerry Mercado, DOST; and Ms. Liza Marie Victoria M. Dillena, DepEd.

Discussed during the organizational meeting were the rationale for the organization of Nutrition Cluster and membership and functions of the organization. Vests were provided to the members which will be used by members of the Nutrition Cluster, who voluntarily and enthusiastically committed to participate in nutrition response during disaster and emergencies.

With the MIMAROPA’s Regional Nutrition Cluster, the region is now assured to have a group that would take the lead in nutrition management during emergencies and disasters as our country continues to be affected by natural and human-induced emergencies.

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Category: Region 4b

Published: 03 June 2014

PROMO Nutri Com, the local media group of MIMAROPA, together with NNC – MIMAROPA, conducted the Palawan Nutrition Stakeholders’ Forum at The Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros, Manila last 28^th of April 2014. The activity aimed to converge Palaweños’ efforts to fight malnutrition. A total of 78 participants came consisting of 3 Regional Directors namely Dir. Eduardo C. Janairo of Department of Health (DOH), Dir. Cristina Castillo of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Dir. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay of Department of Science and Technology (DOST); 10 Municipal Mayors from Palawan; 16 Regional Nutrition Committee representatives; World Vision Representative; Provincial Government of Palawan Representatives including the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer (PSWDO), Medical Nutrition Program Coordinator (MNPC); 11 Municipal Nutrition Action Officers; 3 Municipal Health Officers (MHOs); and 20 other Local Government Unit (LGU) representatives.

Highlights of the said event were the presentation of the nutrition situation of Palawan, delivered by Dr. Louie R. Ocampo, MNPC, and the different nutrition programs done to address nutrition problems reported by PNAO Rachel T. Paladan, and the expression and signing of commitments of local chief executives, national government agencies, and other nutrition stakeholders in support of nutrition programs.

Moreover, to boost up and inspire the Palawan’s nutrition stakeholders and leaders, Hon. Mayor Lucena D. Demaala of Narra, Palawan, the Outstanding Municipality in Palawan from 2010 to 2012, and Hon. Mayor Senen M. Livelo Jr., together with MHO Dr. Edzel L. Muhi of Mogpog, Marinduque, 2010 CROWN (Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition) Awardee, had a chance to speak and share their good practices in their own municipalities.

With the belief that fight against malnutrition needs to be intensified, Dir. Abilay showed support by discussing updates on DOST’s initiatives in combating malnutrition in MIMAROPA that includes regional roll-out and feeding  implementation of complementary baby food (instant baby food and snack food) developed by FNRI-DOST.

In addition to this, OIC-RNPC Santiago reminded the honorable mayors about their important role as leaders and provider of overall direction essential to fully realize Palawan’s Municipal Nutrition Action Plans that will make them a true nutrition champion. Furthermore, Nutrition Officer III Donnah May S. Guevarra discussed and stressed out the Ten (10) Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos that reminded all nutrition stakeholders about the basic nutrition information and related interventions to address malnutrition.

To complement all encouragement given to Palaweños, Dir. Janairo, Chair of Regional Nutrition Committee, stated his support by inspiring everyone to never lose hope in fighting malnutrition problem. He also emphasized that unless man is properly nourished, he will not become a nation’s asset. Other nutrition partners who gave statement of support are LGUs through Hon. Mayor Lucena D. Demaala, President of League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Palawan Chapter, media through Mr. Voltaire N. Dequina, President of PROMO Nutri Com, and NGOs through Ms. Marijo S. Gomez, Health Nutrition Specialist of World Vision.

Hereunder is the list of names of Mayors and Vice Mayor who actively participated in the said forum:

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Category: Region 4b

Published: 15 August 2014

The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (BATF) conducted its first meeting for the year during a back-to-back meeting with the Regional Nutrition Committee on 31 July 2014 at the Fersal Hotel, P. Tuazon Blvd., Quezon City.  Updates on the planned activities were discussed including its technical assistance to the Bantay Asin Task Force of Occidental Mindoro which was organized in April 2014. A draft Executive Order creating the task force citing its composition and functions is now in the process of approval. OIC Carina Santiago emphasized that the Regional BATF should work hand-in-hand with the Provincial BATF of Occidental Mindoro for the continued progress of the National Salt Iodization program in the province, which is also seen to subsequently help local salt producers in the region.

The Regional BATF of MIMAROPA recognizes the important role that the province plays in country’s fight against Iodine Deficiency Disorders since Occidental Mindoro is among the major salt-producing provinces in the country. Hence, the Regional BATF pledged to provide continuous technical assistance to the Provincial BATF of Occidental Mindoro, the first province-level watchdog organized in the region to monitor and assure the successful implementation of the National Salt Iodization program.

Last 30 April 2014, Governor Gene Mendiola himself catalyzed the creation of the Provincial BATF during a meeting with concerned national government agencies, non-government organizations, and local salt producers and distributors. Amidst apprehension and reluctance among salt producers and distributors, and even local officials, Gov. Mendiola insisted on abiding to the Asin Law. “We already have a law that mandates the iodization of salt and we have to follow”, were his words. Gov. Mendiola also asked for local support from the municipalities of San Jose and Magsaysay, two of the top salt-producing municipalities in the province, through the creation of municipal-level Bantay Asin Task Force. Mr. Voltaire Dequina, President of PROMO Nutri Com, the region’s local media arm in promoting good nutrition, sworn to also help in the province’s advocacy to create awareness and demand for Iodized salt.