Cordillera NNC head to execs: Improve nutrition programs

BAGUIO CITY -- Rita D.Papey, regional program coordinator of National Nutrition Council in the Cordillera urged regional officials here last week to improve their nutrition programs during “newly elected officials program.”   

“Nutrition program does not belong to a single agency but a concern of all branches of government and that the support of the mayors is a crucial to its success,” she said.

The program was headed by the regional Dept. of Interior and Local Government in the region, along with regional line agency directors who were invited to introduce their programs and services.

Papey urged LGU heads to prioritize the improvement of their LGU’s nutritional status, starting with eradicating malnutrition among children in their respective areas.

Papey talked on “basic orientation on legal mandates on nutrition” that serves as the basis of all nutrition programs from the national to LGUs.

Presidential Decree 491 series 1974 issued then by President Ferdinand E. Marcos outlined the government structure that will address malnutrition in the country

Papey said based on studies and observations from government and private sectors, the setback in addressing malnutrition in the country is attributed to absence of strong structure that will govern effective implementation of nutrition programs.

She also talked on “sustainable development goals (SDG) for nutrition targets until 2025.

Under the SDG, countries have to end all forms of malnutrition by scaling up proven nutrition interventions and by committing and investing in nutrition, thus the support of the LCE’s is vital in achieving the goals.

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) formulates national food and nutrition policies and strategies; and coordinates planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the national nutrition program.

But these can be only effective with the full support of the local officials, she said.

The NEO program is initiative of the department through the Local Government Academy (LGA) to come up with a harmonized capacity development delivery for LGUs. 

The objective is to create development-oriented NEOs who can effectively 

implement nutrition programs.