Dr. Alejandro Herrin of the University of the Philippines’ School of Economics gave an overview on the multisectoral actions to prevent stunting. Researches such as the World Bank Studies on Nutrition – The Peru Nutrition Success Story and Preliminary Results of the Philippine Study on the Drivers of Malnutrition was presented by Gabriel Demombynes, World Bank’s Program Leader for Human Development; Little Children: The Stunting Crisis in the Philippines (A Benchmarking Exercise) by PIDS’ Valerie Ulep; Role of Belief and Attitudes of Nutrition and Health Workers in the Persistence of Chronic Malnutrition in the Philippines by UP Economics Professor Toby Monsod and the Formative Evaluation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition by Jed Asiaii Dimaisip-Nabuab, Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Associate of Innovations for Poverty Action, were among the researches presented in the forum. Adjunct to the research discussions, former DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero and now Zuellig Family Foundation’s Executive Director discussed “Dynamics of LGU Mobilization for Stunting Reduction”.

The participants collectively reviewed the extent the targets in the PPAN Results Framework were accomplished, and agreed on the possible actions for 2020-2022, the remaining years of the current PPAN. Potential funding source, the lead and support agencies were also identified to ensure the operationalization of the Plan.

NNC Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang in her closing message stressed that the activity was conducted “…not to point fingers nor to find faults but to… find ways to move forward to achieve our PPAN goals.” She requested the participants to rethink activities based on the evidences and discussions; engage other players that can help move our PPAN, and disseminate our PPAN down to the barangays, so that they know what and how they can contribute.

The updated PPAN, 2017-2022 will be further subjected to a technical review by a select core group and later by the NNC Technical Committee before the final adoption by the NNC Governing Board.

Copy of the forum presentations can be downloaded via: http://bit.ly/MAPSResourceMaterials

(Daniel G. Salunga)