LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — The head of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Bicol expressed optimism Monday that politics will not impede the implementation of a multisectoral project aimed at combating undernutrition and stunting in the region.
NNC Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Arlene Reario expressed hope that local government officials will stay focused on implementing the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) to reduce stunting, despite the upcoming elections on May 12.
Stunting is impaired growth in children due to poor nutrition, infections, and lack of psychosocial stimulation. Data showed that in 2019, Bicol had a level of stunting that exceeded 40 percent of the population of children below the age of five.
“Of course, we want to ensure that the nutrition project continues in all areas, even with the busy election activities starting in March,” Reario said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The PMNP, funded by a P10-billion loan from the World Bank, is being implemented by the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in collaboration with local government units whose leaders are currently occupied with their re-election campaigns.
“(PMNP) is important because we expect that once fully implemented, it will greatly reduce malnutrition in Bicol because more than half of the total number of municipalities in the region are involved,” Reario said at Monday’s Ugnayan sa Bicol radio program.
Several activities are scheduled for this year, especially during the election period.
This week, all PMNP coordinators from LGUs across the country will gather in Pampanga province to review and evaluate the implementation of the PMNP.
They will also determine the necessary steps to ensure the effective execution of the program, according to Reario.
Next month, “Operation Timbangan” will be launched, involving mass weighing and height measurements of children aged 0 to 59 months to assess malnutrition and food insecurity.
Moreover, a number of training have been lined up to capacitate the PMNP implementers in Bicol, Reario said.
“We are lucky that the World Bank has funded PMNP in 60 municipalities in Bicol,” she said.
Data showed that in 2019, one in three Filipino children under five years old suffered from stunted growth.
Stunting is primarily an irreversible consequence of inadequate nutrition and repeated infections during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, according to the World Health Organization.
As a result, stunted children tend to perform poorly in school and earn lower wages as adults.
Reario expressed her desire for voters to choose leaders who support the nutrition program.
“I hope the election goes well and that we elect leaders who prioritize the nutrition program,” she said. (PIA5/Masbate)
