National Nutrition Council Region III convened the Regional Nutrition Committee for its first meeting for 2012 on 21 February at DOH-CHD 3 Conference Room. The main agenda of the meeting was crafting directions for 2012 along regional and local nutrition programs and discussed the major regional developments.

Director Andrew B. Villacorta, RNC Chair and Regional Director of Department of Agriculture Region III presided the meeting. DOH-CHD Director Benito Arca and RNC Vice-Chair stated in his welcome message that ”we have been partners for many years, health and likewise nutrition cannot be alone.” He encouraged the RNC member agencies to look into their programs for strategies and solutions to improve nutrition.

Ms. Maria Vicenta C. Magpantay, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, gave the updates of nutrition situation in Central Luzon and the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) for 2011-2016. She noted that at 4.32% prevalence of undernutrition among preshool children based on 2010 OPT results, Central Luzon is among the regions that have the lowest prevalence of undernutrition. However, there are also some catching up to do in terms of maternal undernutrition and overnutrition, She stated the roles of the member agencies in the implementation of the PPAN. The government member agencies are to integrate nutrition considerations in their agency’s policies and programs; provide resources and build capabilities; support LGUs in nutrition program management; and promote good nutrition. On the other hand, partners from the private sector shall assist in promoting good nutrition; undertake nutrition projects and researches; test new approaches and strategies for nutrition interventions; promote inter-linkages in nutrition; and participate in local nutrition programs. The presentation of the nutrition situation in Central Luzon and the PPAN as an integral part of Philippine Development Plan will set the directions for actions in prioritizing interventions for convergence of the NNC member and partner agencies in addressing hunger and malnutrition. Other specific sponsored programs along the PPAN that will be implemented in the region were discussed.

NPC Magpantay presented the Integrated Action for Hunger Alleviation and Improved Nutrition, a joint program of the Cabinet Cluster On Human Development and Poverty Reduction covering the 609 convergent areas in all regions but no municipality included from regions 2 and 3. However, special HAIN will be implemented in region 3 together with regions 1, 2, and CAR affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel and in Maguindanao flash flood affected areas.

Along the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, the Communication Behaviour Impact for Exclusive Breastfeeding (COMBI), an MDGF 2030 component project will be implemented in region 3 covering 3 areas of Bulacan, namely Malolos City, Meycauayan City and Marilao. The COMBI was presented by the Philippine Services for Social Action (PHILSSA) and the Health Development Institute commissioned by WHO to help in the implementation of the project.

NPC Magpantay announced that NNC will conduct PIR and Regional Strategic Nutrition Planning workshop in April to serve as a venue to further assess the nutrition situation in the region and put together an integrated strategic actions of the RNC member agencies with the participation of selected LGUs and other stakeholders. In preparation for the strategic planning workshop, RNC Chair Villacorta enjoined the members to start identifying their respective contributions for the regional nutrition strategic plan.

Above photo: From the right are Regional Directors Benito F. Arca, DOH; Andrew B. Villacorta, DA; and Nutrition Program Coordinator, Maria Vicenta C.Magpantay, NNC.