CV launches nutrition action plan

Central Visayas became the first region to launch a Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN), which presented a five-year plan to local chief executives, partners, and other nutrition stakeholders and solicited their support for its implementation.

NNC-7 Deputy Executive Director Azucena M. Dayanghirang, in her message during the launching, emphasized the importance of convergence of services to households with pregnant and lactating women and young children. She also encouraged the people present during the launching to support the plan.

The launching activity was attended by almost 200 participants from all over the region.Highlighting the activity was the unveiling of the Central Visayas Plan of Action for Nutrition 20172022.

NNC-7 said that the activity also included a symbolic turnover of the RPAN document to the Regional Nutrition Council members and key officials of the League of Municipalities and Provinces of the Philippines for the local government units, Nutrition Action Officers, District/ City/Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinators, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Non-government Organizations, the media, legislators and the executive branch of the government thru the office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.

The launching activity was also highlighted by the exhibit of the nutrition specific, nutrition sensitive and enabling mechanism where members of the RNC showcased their programs and projects as concrete contribution to RPAN and provided consultation services on financing and management of the nutrition programs.

It also included a counseling booth on managing overweight and obesity handled by RNC partners from the University of San Carlos – BS Nutrition and Dietetics Department. Last May, the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition was launched in Iloilo City.

The PPAN 20172022 is the country’s blueprint of actions for nutrition improvement which aimed to present to stakeholders involved in its implementation the targets for various forms of malnutrition and the corresponding programs needed to address these.

NNC, the organizer of the event, said it has always pushed for the cultivation of the public’s appreciation towards nutrition, especially the local government units for integrating nutrition in their political and development agenda.