NegOccc guv to launch nutrition action plan

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson will lead the launching of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) in Negros Occidental today, December 19, 2023, at the capitol social hall.

It will be followed by the awarding ceremony of the “Ang mga Baganihan sang Nutrisyon.”

Spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council, PPAN is a national plan of action that aims to reduce all forms of malnutrition among Filipinos across all life stages.

It lays out steps for improving nutrition in the country through 2028, as well as the country’s commitment to making nutrition a key driver and indicator of development.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Girlie Pinongan said that aside from children ages 0-59 months, PPAN will now include all populations from birth, children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and the elderly.

Nutrition workers from various LGUs of the province will be given the “Mga Baganihan sang Nutrisyon” award, during the activity, in recognition of their role and performance in achieving the nutrition goals of the province.

An inter-department approach will be implemented to solve malnutrition in the province that involves offices like the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Department of Education.

Lacson on Monday told reporters that a survey revealed that nine LGUs in the province were identified to have a high malnutrition rate.

This will serve as a guide for these LGUs on how to address the situation.

The governor also said that the provincial government has poverty alleviation programs to help address the malnutrition problem in the province.