20 September 2023, City of Manila - In line with its commitment to ensuring enhanced food and nutrition security for all Filipinos, the National Nutrition Council held the Luzon launch of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028, with the participation of representatives from the seven (7) regions of Luzon. The launch was led by the Chair of the NNC Governing Board DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa represented by OIC, Undersecretary of Health and Chief of Staff Dr. Gloria J. Balboa with NNC Executive Director and Assistant Secretary Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang.
The latest PPAN aligns the efforts of government, NGOs, academe, civil society, and the private sector, working in harmony to jointly address all forms of malnutrition. This collaborative effort not only sets the road map for food and nutrition policies and strategies but also aims to reduce malnutrition comprehensively. The PPAN 2023-2028 is designed for all stakeholders to promote and strengthen the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and investing in nutrition policies, programs, and services to ensure efficient and effective use of resources to achieve the country's desired nutrition outcomes for all Filipinos.
The strategies of PPAN utilizes a whole-of-society approach featuring the synergized efforts of the involved stakeholders and sectors to ensure effective and efficient implementation. A/Sec. Dayanghirang fully agrees to this saying that "By placing nutrition at the forefront of our national agenda, we can ensure that it receives the attention and resources it deserves for comprehensive and sustainable improvements in nutrition outcomes.
During the launch, A/Sec. Dayanghirang called on the stakeholders to advance PPAN 2023-2028 at the national, regional, and local levels by 1) supporting the passage of law on strengthening NNC as a commission and establishment of nutrition offices with permanent human resource and budgetary allocation at all levels; 2) high level advocacy and capability building for national government agencies on nutrition sensitive programming; 3) consistent and continuous messaging and a whole-society approach to develop a culture of nutrition-conscious Filipinos; 4) improvement of nutrition sensitivity in agricultural sector thrusts and strategic agenda; 5) social protection for low-income families (expansion of 4Ps program); and 6) Nutritionist-Dietitians to the Barrios + Inter- referral systems (schools, communities, health facilities) for Mental Health and Nutrition. KABAYAN Party list Representative Ron P. Salo gave the inspirational speech and shared his and the part's support for the PPAN.
The nutrition situation of the country has been heavily underscored as one of the pillars for socioeconomic development in our country by the Marcos Administration. This is furthered by the Secretary of Health, Teodoro J. Herbosa, in his keynote address read by Undersecretary Balboa stating that "Nutrition is most critical in the first 1000 days of life - from day one of pregnancy and up to the second year of birth of a child. If left neglected, poor nutrition results in child stunting which is irreversible and more importantly, poor brain development. If the child survives, it is likely that he will have low performance in school, become less productive as an adult. This ugly cycle of malnutrition must stop at all costs. This is not the future we want for our children nor for our country".
Representatives from both the public and private sectors were also present during the launch to further show their support to the PPAN 2023-2028.
A two-part panel discussion marked the closing of the event. Joining the key panelists were the provincial and city nutrition committee chairs and vice chairs, nutrition action officers, barangay nutrition scholar and representatives from the civil society. The panel discussion centered on the roles of the stakeholders on PPAN and the other deliver.
A two-part panel discussion marked the closing of the event. Joining the key panelists were the provincial and city nutrition committee chairs and vice chairs, nutrition action officers, barangay nutrition scholar and representatives from the civil society. The panel discussion centered on the roles of the stakeholders on PPAN and the other delved deeply on interventions related to PPAN and sharing of good practices on PPAN localization.
To disseminate the PPAN especially among local chief executives, local nutrition committees, and other stakeholders, the NNC is set to conduct the sub-island launch in Visayas on October 2, 2023 in Cebu City.
Visit the National Nutrition Council website (www.nnc.gov.ph) and Facebook Page (@NNCOfficial and @First 1000DaysPH) for more information about the PPAN 2023- 2028.
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