SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – To help combat the root causes of child malnutrition, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) 1 will bring together various sectoral stakeholders in a virtual Regional Nutrition Forum through Zoom and Facebook Live on April 25.
The forum supports the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028, the country’s strategic roadmap to eliminate all forms of malnutrition by engaging government agencies, civil society, and the private sector.
Although Region 1 reports fewer cases of undernutrition than other areas, the NNC-1 noted that child malnutrition remains a significant concern in many communities.
Persistent cases of stunting, wasting, and rising rates of overweight and obesity—especially among school-aged children—highlight the need for stronger grassroots advocacy.
In Ilocos Norte, for example, the prevalence of stunting has declined for four consecutive years, from 8.9 percent in 2019 to just 4.3 percent in 2023, according to data from the Provincial Nutrition Action Office.
The forum aims to equip key stakeholders with tools and knowledge to promote proper nutrition in schools, early childhood centers, and workplaces.
Topics will include the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition, and educational materials like the 10 Kumainments, Pinggang Pinoy, and the First 1,000 Days Program.
“Our goal is to orient participants on what the government is doing to eliminate malnutrition and how they can use nutrition guides to advocate for healthy practices among students, office colleagues, and daycare pupils,” Kendal Pilgrim A. Gatan, NNC regional program coordinator, said.
Gatan emphasized that information officers, teachers, and daycare workers were specifically invited due to their wide reach and influence through both formal and informal channels.
“We believe these sectors can help us reach a wider audience when it comes to nutrition promotion and advocacy,” he added.
The forum will also feature a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of various sectors in carrying out nutrition programs, encouraging participants to apply locally appropriate solutions in their respective institutions.
Through this initiative, NNC-1 seeks to promote cross-sectoral collaboration and empower educators and communicators in helping achieve the national goal of ending child malnutrition by 2028. (CCMT/AIHR, PIA Region 1)
