The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Mimaropa and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Mimaropa launched the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP)— a world bank-financed program rolled out to combat child stunting and malnutrition in the region at Sequoia Manila Bay Hotel, Paranaque City.
The PMNP shall support the Philippine Government’s efforts to adopt a multisectoral nutrition approach to deliver a coordinated package of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions across the various LGU platforms together with a harmonized social behavior change and communication strategy.
Through this project, households with pregnant women and children under two years will benefit from high-impact nutrition interventions including infant and young feeding, regular growth monitoring, multiple micronutrient supplements for children 6–23 months, iron-folic acid supplementation for pregnant women, vitamin A supplementation for children, dietary supplementation for nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women, and treatment of moderate and severe acute malnutrition.
During the ceremony, National Nutrition Council (NNC) Asec. Azucena M. Dayanghirang enumerated the three components of the project “The PMNP serves as an avenue that bridge the gaps in its current implementation through its three components.
First, strengthening the delivery of interventions that will directly address key nutrition concerns of children directly affected by stunting and livelihood interventions for their families. Second, support LGUs in preparing local nutrition action plans and institutionalizing nutrition concerns in the local development planning process. Lastly, the provision of personnel support to ensure delivery of project targets and activities including monitoring and evaluation.”
PMNP is a huge project of the government to stop and prevent malnutrition and stunting problems in our country. Local chief executives from the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Romblon pledged their commitment through its message and the ceremonial signing of the supplemental memorandum of agreement.
Moreover, Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Mimaropa Regional Director Dr. Mario S. Baquilod assured to the PMNP target provinces its commitment in fulfilling the eradication of malnutrition in the region.
“Kami po sa DOH, we will match your commitment, we will match the passion that you have shown tonight. Makakaasa kayo na kami sa DSWD and DOH ay magtutulong tulong and now is the time to work sa mga activities natin, umpisahan na natin dahil kailangan na kailangan natin ito sa ating community,” said Baquilod. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)
