QUEZON CITY (PIA) – Parañaque City has qualified for the 2023 Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award after receiving its 3rd Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) on August 16, 2024, at the Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.
Local government units (LGUs) that receive the Green Banner Award for three consecutive years are eligible for the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award. By maintaining the CROWN for an additional three years, the LGU can achieve the highest recognition, the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA).
Thanks to the Parañaque City Nutrition Committee’s (PCNC) collaborative efforts, the rates of stunting (3.48 percent), wasting (0.44 percent), (1.56 percent) overweight, and obesity in children aged 0-59 months are all below levels of public health concern. However, addressing these issues remains a challenge, and continued efforts are needed to further mitigate malnutrition in the city.
Here are some of Parañaque City’s programs designed to address and reduce malnutrition:
- Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Program: The city health office has established and maintained a team of trained nutrition counselors in all barangays. It has also certified five lactation stations in government and private facilities and issued an executive order to strengthen the city’s milk code monitoring task force.
- Dietary Supplementation Program: The city has set up programs for nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and malnourished children, working with national agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd), as well as Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNCs).
- Livelihood and Employment Support: The Parañaque Livelihood Resources and Management Office (PLRMO) and the Parañaque Employment Services Office prioritize parents of malnourished children for their livelihood projects, job fairs, and employment services.
- Iodized Salt Monitoring: The PCNC continues its partnership with the Consumer Welfare Office (CWO) to ensure iodized salt is available in markets. The Bantay ASIN Task Force and CWO regularly check availability in various stores.
- Nutrition in Emergencies: During emergencies and disasters such as typhoons and fires, the City Social Welfare and Development and General Services offices provide food packs to affected families, including those with malnourished children.
- Capacitating for Nutrition Workers: The PCNC conducts training on nutrition program management, a basic course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), and the Barangay Nutrition Action Officer (BNAO) conference to enhance the skills of nutrition workers.
- Role of Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNCs): BNCs play an important role in implementing nutrition programs in barangays. Along with supportive barangay chairpersons and BNAOs, ensure that malnourished children and their families receive priority in nutrition services.
The CROWN Award is validated by the National Nutrition Evaluation Team. This team thoroughly assesses local government units (LGUs) to ensure they meet the high standards required for the award. Their validation involves a review of the effectiveness of nutrition programs, compliance with nutritional guidelines, and their overall impact on community health. (GLDG/PIA-NCR)
