Iloilo City’s nutrition programs get boost
ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Government is strengthening its nutrition programs through its newly- constructed Iloilo City Nutrition Center.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the four- storey nutrition center is a big boost to the city’s goal of improving the nutrition status of the city kids particularly the indigent ones.
“Nutrition is very important for our children so we must focus on giving them the right nutrition so they will grow up healthy and perform well in school,” Treñas said.
Located on General Luna Street, City Proper, t he approximately P54- million nutrition center was funded by the city government. The features include a nutrition office or clinic of the City Health Office( CH O ), nutrition-production area, and function halls.
“This is the kind of project we want to accomplish using our collected taxes. We are giving back to the people through improved services,” said Treñas.
According to Dr. Annabelle Tang, head of CHO, the city government targets to open the center by the second or third quarter of this year once the required equipment, training of personnel, and necessary permits to operate are accomplished.
A memorandum o f agreement is set to be signed by the city government and its partners for the nutrition center’s operationalization.
Meanwhile, Tang said t he city government i s collabora t i ng with t he Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 6, Florete Group of Companies and Bombo Radyo Philippines for the production of enhanced nut ribun(e- nut ri bun) and other nutritious complementary feeding mix.
The DOST has initially committed to provide technical assistance in the formulation of ingredients for the nutritious food mix and provision of some of the equipment. The Florete Group will also help in equipment provision and in terms of nutrition promotion.
“We are thankful to DOST-6 director Rowen Gelonga and Florete Group of Companies chairman Dr. Rogelio Florete Sr. for extending their help and for being one with us in this fight against malnutrition in our city,” Treñas added.
The CHO is implementing a holistic approach to further address malnutrition among the children in the city.
The scope, Tang said, will not only focus on target children but also on pregnant women who need more nutrition for the babies inside their womb.
The CHO head added that the city government will also continue to provide them with nutribuns and other nutritious feeding mix once the production in the nutrition center starts./