Marinduque school is center of food preparation, training

A school in Marinduque is now the Center of Raw Food Plant-based Preparation and Training in the MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) Region.

The Department of Health in MIMAROPA (DOH-MIMAROPA) disclosed that it has already inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for its partnership with Marinduque State College (MSC).

“We selected MSC since it is the only institution of higher education in MIMAROPA that offers courses related to food technology,” Eduardo C. Janairo, DOH regional director, said.

“We have agreed to work together in partnership to develop and establish the raw food technology in the region and it will start in the Province of Marinduque,” he added.

Janairo explained that there is a need to reposition the Nutrition Program of MIMAROPA as it has been identified in the National Health Survey of 2013 and 2015 as the region with the highest number of underweight and stunted children.

Under the MOA, the regional office will provide direction, support, and assistance to MSC in the mobilization, organization, and coordination for the establishment of the raw food plant-based preparation and Training Center for the region.

A Raw Food Technology Task Force will be created with membership coming from the National Nutrition Council, selected regional nutrition committee members and staff of DOHMIMAROPA , it was disclosed.

“An initial fund of 13.2 million will be provided for the conduct of activities, procurement of logistics and supplies and contracting out this highly specialized technology to mainstream in the MSC curriculum and the general health care service and delivery system,” Janairo explained.

The MSC, in turn, will develop and establish a Center of Learning for the region regarding raw food plant-based technologies, skills and competencies. It will also provide training for individuals on selected areas to develop their skill on raw food plant-based preparation for general consumption and also for income generation.

“We will involve all schools in the region, both public and private with provision, selling and sustaining the presence and existence of raw food plant-based in their canteens for the consumption of MIMAROPA students,” Janairo assured.

“The goal of eating raw foods is to obtain plenty of nutrients which our bodies need. It is better able to prevent and fight diseases, especially chronic diseases and other illness,” he added.