Partners from non-government organizations (NGO) in the National Capital Region (NCR) expressed their support and commitment in the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 during the 4th Regional NGO Forum held on June 30, 2017 at the Berjaya Hotel, Makati City.

Since 2014, the National Nutrition Council at the National Capital Region has been convening the NGOs with nutrition and related services and programs within Metro Manila in a forum. The forum became a yearly event as requested by the NGO partners since it serves as a good venue in sharing their experiences and good practices in implementing nutrition programs and projects. The forum also allows NNC-NCR and NGO partners to build linkages and expand their nutrition network.

This year’s forum with the theme “Strengthening GO-NGO Partnerships for Nutrition Action in Metro Manila” was attended by twelve (12) NGOs: Young Focus, Kabalikat ng OFW, Muntinlupa Development Foundation, Reachout Ville Foundation, Food for the Hungry Philippines, Children’s Hour, Children International, Letnuk Foundation, Care Channels, Alay Pag-asa Christian Foundation Inc., World Vision and Caritas Manila. and nine (9) member agencies of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC).

In her discussion, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo emphasized the presence of the double burden of malnutrition not only in Metro Manila but in the whole country. The PPAN, as the country’s blueprint of actions for nutrition improvement aims to address the problem of malnutrition such as wasting and stunting among children under five years old, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity. The new PPAN is set to be implemented in 2017 until 2022.

RNPC Federizo also discussed the eight (8) nutrition-specific programs that will address the immediate causes of malnutrition, nutrition-sensitive programs to address the underlying causes of malnutrition and enabling and other nutrition-supportive programs.

To strengthen the commitment of the NGO partners to the PPAN 2017-2022, participants were asked to identify their programs, projects and activities that are aligned to the PPAN target outcomes, strategic thrusts and programs. Through the workshop, the group agreed that more activities should be conducted in Metro Manila along Mandatory Food Fortification, Nutrition in Emergencies and Overweight and Obesity Management and Prevention Program.

Participants were also asked to update the NCR map done in 2016 and mark on the map where their programs are located. The updated mapping of NGOs helps identify the cities or municipality without NGO assistance and could be considered as project areas of NGOs.

In her closing message, RNPC Federizo emphasized the importance of NGA and NGO engagement and partnership to help address the nutrition challenges in the region. Regional government agencies, local government units, NGOs and other stakeholders should work together towards the achievement of the PPAN 2017-2022 nutrition goals and targets. “Sana ay tumibay pa ang ating magandang partnership at samahan nyo kami, ang NNC-NCR, sa aming paglaban sa gutom at malnutrisyon”, RNPC Federizo added.

(TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)