By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Department of Health Western Visayas (DOH-6) has challenged the 1,721 barangays in the province of Iloilo to craft their own action plan to address malnutrition.
The call to action was made during the first-ever Punong Barangay Nutrition Congress organized by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) on April 10 at Punta Villa Resort in Iloilo City.
“I challenge the barangays to know their standing in terms of malnutrition […] and create an action plan tailored with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) for 2023–2028,” said DOH-6 director Dr. Adriano Suba-an.
The congress, the first of its kind in Western Visayas to involve barangay officials, brought together 1,369 village leaders from the province’s 1,700 barangays.
Anchored on the theme “Punong Barangays: Championing Nutrition towards MoRProGRes Iloilo,” the congress underscores the role of village officials in championing the PPAN and addressing nutrition issues at the grassroots level.
“There is a need for us to act […] especially our barangay officials. We need to sit down and listen to what’s on the ground so we can craft a comprehensive action plan for malnutrition, which is a triple burden to our Filipino families — undernourishment, stunting, wasting,” Suba-an added.
Meanwhile, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. emphasized that barangay officials, just like in the COVID-19 pandemic, are on the frontline in helping the government combat malnutrition in the province.
“The provincial government recognizes that everything happens at the barangay level, whether it is disaster, tourism, agriculture, especially nutrition. We need this congress to align the initiatives with the national government’s program,” he said.
Defensor said there is nothing lacking in the campaign against malnutrition, but there has to be improvement in the current nutrition program.
“We have been improving, but we continue to face challenges and that is why we are gathered here to recruit and regroup as a local government unit and to align with national government agencies and our partners,” he said.
The governor further stressed that the problem of malnutrition is an urgent issue that needs an urgent response, citing malnutrition can lead to a severe loss of human potential and productivity, which impedes the economic growth of the province.
“We have to work hand in hand […] We need an urgent development for our nutrition. If we work with urgency, the way we approached the COVID-19 pandemic, we can improve our status. We don’t have to wait for long-term plans to take effect,” he added.
According to Suba-an, the incidence of malnutrition in the province has “gradually decreased” but noted that some of the barangays are still facing the “triple burden of malnutrition.”
The triple burden of malnutrition the DOH-6 director was referring to is the coexistence of undernutrition (stunting and wasting), micronutrient deficiencies (often termed hidden hunger), and overnutrition (overweight and obesity).
“While that at the provincial level is decreasing, there are towns that still have problems. There are barangays that are being left behind when it comes to nutrition accomplishment,” he said.
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon highlighted that the congress is the commitment of the provincial government in championing nutrition and health within the communities.
“This congress is not just a gathering; it’s a beacon of hope for a healthier future for our children and a testament to the power of collective action,” she said.
“As we embark on this journey towards MoRProGRes Iloilo, let us remember that every step we take is a step closer to a nation where no child is left behind in receiving the nourishment they need to thrive,” she added.
