Recently concluded: ๐ซ๐. ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐-๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, Assistant Secretary and Executive Director IV of the National Nutrition Council served as a panelist and first speaker in two side events at the 78th World Health Assembly.
During the Geneva Health Forum 2025 Nutrition Session entitled “Nutrition: The Road 2030 Building on Success, Facing Whatโs Next,” A/Sec Dayanghirang shared about the country’s best practices on food and nutrition, including the (1) proactive support and active participation of local government units that helped prevent the surge of stunting and wasting during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) strong commitment to multisectoral collaboration, adaptive governance, and evidence-based interventions through the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023โ2028, (3) recognition of exemplary Local Chief Executives and nutrition advocates through the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony, among others. Despite these wins, there are still many challenges that threaten the acceleration of progress on nutrition; thus, A/Sec Dayanghirang called upon global partners especially the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement to join in forging stronger alliances, driving bold action, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.
On the other hand, during the side event “Accelerating Action on Micronutrient Deficiencies and Their Consequences, Including Spina Bifida: Delivering on WHA 76.19 through Large-Scale Food Fortification,” A/Sec Dayanghirang shared the Philippine government’s efforts and critical leadership role in creating strong, sustainable fortification programs that prevent and reduce micronutrient deficiencies. This includes the fortification of staple foods and inclusion of iron-fortified rice in social safety net programs to address iron deficiency anemia, with rice being the staple food in the Philippines. She also shared that the Philippines is taking a major step forward by revising its wheat flour fortification standard in accordance with the World Health Organization guideline to include folic acid and the use of a bioavailable form of iron to prevent neural tube defects and accelerate the reduction of iron-deficiency anemia among vulnerable age groups.
