Region VIII

Details: Category: Region 8; Published: 21 September 2022

PALO, Leyte – Two technical staff of National Nutrition Council – Region 8 (NNC8) has attended the 3-day training on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) in Ormoc City.

The UNICEF-funded activity was held at Carlosta Hotel on August 17-19, 2022.

Health and nutrition workers composed of Provincial and Municipal Health Officers, midwives, Nutrition Action Officers, Nutritionist-Dietitians Deployment Program (NDDPs), and Development Management Officers (DMOs) from the different municipalities of the Province of Southern Leyte.

Meanwhile, representing NNC8 were Annabel Limbagan and Evelyn Ramos, Development Management Officer II and Project Development Officer I.

The training aims to capacitate the participants on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, fill the capacity gaps and strengthen the maternal and infant nutrition program of the province.

It also aims to ensure foundation in the first 1,000 days and help to improve the nutrition of the said province.

The second batch of MIYCN training which will be participated by the barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs) and barangay health workers (BHWs) of the said province is scheduled on August 24-26, 2022, at SP Hall, Provincial Capital, Southern Leyte. #DMOII-ABL

Details: Category: Region 8; Published: 17 August 2022

MANILA, Philippines – Eastern Visayas representatives from Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) 8 is attending the Philippine Multi-sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) Management Orientation and Consultative meeting here.

The 3-day orientation meeting/workshop at Joy-Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila in Pasig City kicked off August 16, 2022.

The PMNP will support the provision of nutrition and healthcare services in primary care and community levels among 257 municipalities of 14 regions with high poverty and malnutrition incidence.

The World Bank has approved a $178.1-million (about ₱9.7 billion) loan to boost the country’s efforts against malnutrition a week before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office.

The project features a package of “nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive” interventions along with social behavior change and communications (SBCC) ones.

Details: Category: Region 8; Published: 17 August 2022

PALO, Leyte - The Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) marks its 55th years of existing on August 8, 2022. The ASEAN is one of the most successful regional blocks in today’s world.

Fifty-five (55) years ago, the ASEAN started its journey from Bangkok with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Brunei Darussalam then joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.

ASEAN symbolizes the spirit of solidarity and peaceful, prosperous, and socially responsible ASEAN Community. The theme of this year’s ASEAN Day is “Stronger Together” that invites and welcomes the forward-minded people of ASEAN to come in synchronization and work as a collective to face the challenges of 21st Century (The Economic Times, 2022).

Established in August 1967 with the purpose of accelerating the economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region, and promoting regional peace and stability. It has become one of the most important players in the global trading system. It is now the world's fifth largest economy and plays a central role in the so-called “Factory Asia”.

Its establishment is as one of the most highly integrated regional organizations is the reflection of the process of globalization. This high integration is characterized by international cooperation in economic, social, and political policies.

It has negotiated a free trade agreement among member states and with other countries such as China, as well as eased travel in the region for citizens of member countries.

The ASEAN contributes to the advancement of the Philippines as a whole. With the incredible support from other Southeast Asian nations, the country is better prepared for globalization.

The Philippines has benefited from a substantial increase in trade and investments with its economic integration which created a wide choice of goods for consumers thus supporting local businesses to expand overseas. #RNPC-CPD

Details: Category: Region 8; Published: 17 August 2022

PALO, Leyte - Advocacies happens not in formal offices but also at a time and place least expected, case in point when Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. had courtesy visit to Mayor Bernard Jonathan Remandaban of Tabango, Leyte in his residence.

The debonair mayor had just arrived from an official transaction and had to attend an online election of League of Municipalities in the Philippines-Leyte Chapter.

Dr. Dotollo took the opportunity to orient Mayor Benjo as he is fondly called on Newly Elected Officials on Nutrition (NEOtrition) and handover the NEOtrition Guide.

Dotollo thanked the mayor for appointing full time Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO). The new MNAO Mr. Joselito Arrogante got the nod of the mayor and full support of the entire Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC).

Details: Category: Region 8; Published: 17 August 2022

PALO, Leyte - The world celebrated the International Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) day on August 9, 2022.

The celebration started on 23 December 1994, when the United Nations General Assembly decided, in its resolution 49/214, that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the day of the first meeting in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

In this celebration, people from around the world are encouraged to spread the UN’s message on the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples. The aim of the celebration is to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population. It recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge”.

Globally, 47% of all indigenous peoples in employment have no education, compared to 17% of their non-indigenous counterparts. This gap is even wider for women.

Moreover, 86% of indigenous peoples globally work in the informal economy, compared to 66% for their non-indigenous counterparts. They are nearly three times as likely to be living in extreme poverty compared to their non-indigenous counterparts.

These data also predispose the vulnerable IPs to food insecurity and hunger which subsequently causes malnutrition among them including their children.

In an International Labor Organization (ILO) and Indigenous Navigator’s report, it is observed that indigenous peoples face significant obstacles in performing their traditional occupations and accessing decent work opportunities, education, and social protection, a situation that is being aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details: Category: Region 8; Published: 17 August 2022

PALO, Leyte – The Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr., pays courtesy visit to Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres- Gomez.

Dr. Dotollo took the opportunity to orient Mayor Torres-Gomez on Newly Elected Officials on Nutrition (NEOtrition) and handover the NEOtrition Guide. Mayor Torres Gomez gladly welcome the RNPC and said, “please help me in improving the nutritional status of my city.”

The questions asked by Mayor Torres-Gomez includes the nutritional status of the city and what are the best interventions can made to improve the nutrition status of the vulnerable populations.

RNPC Dr. Dotollo answered her queries in terms of the nutritional status. The city has a proportion of stunting among 0-59 months old children at around 14.02% with a magnitude of 2,941, wasting of around 4.41% with 924 children, underweight of 6-16% with 1,292 children and oversight/obesity of 4.95% or 1,039 children.

The city’s Operation Timbang coverage is 81.8%.