Nutrition council says malnutrition is declining in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines – An official of the National Nutrition Council yesterday said there is a declining trend of malnutrition in Central Visayas.

Region 7 nutrition coordinator Parolita Mission said that from 7.3 percent in 2009, the number of malnourished pre-school children in the region has decreased to 6.29 percent this year. Nationwide, she said an estimated 26.2 percent of children are under-weight.

However, Mission added that 20.5 percent of Filipinos are considered overweight, which seems to be a crippling problem.

NNC advised overweight individuals to practice healthy lifestyle and engage themselves in sports activities and daily exercises.

During the convention of Barangay Nutrition Scholars at the Cebu International Convention Center, NNC also recognized and commended the efforts of the nutrition volunteers for contributing to the nutritional development in the barangay level.

The two-day convention was held to upgrade the knowledge of the BNS on nutri-tion improvement actions and hunger-mitigation efforts to further enhance their capaci-ties for nutrition-related services.

The activity, which gathered some 1,200 nutrition workers in the Visayas, also aimed to initiate the beginning of a national federation for the volunteers for a unified and integrated effort to achieve nutritional goals.

The Barangay Nutrition Scholars are community-based volunteers who deliver nutrition information and services to families in the barangay level throughout the coun-try.  

BNS are not paid for their services but only receive honoraria amounting to P2,000 a month and enjoy other benefits such as accident insurances, scholarships and other incentive packages.

The convention was also attended by NNC Assistant Secretary Maria Bernardita Flores, Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale, and officials of the NNC in Regions 6, 7 and 8.

During the program, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars pledged their commitment to the "One Nutrition, One Nation" movement, which aims to encourage individuals to improve their own nutrition as well as their communities and make a difference.

"We cannot solve malnutrition problems alone. Local nutrition committees and the local chief executives are the real movers of the program. And individuals must also help in adapting positive nutrition behavior so that we can move forward," Flores said.

She also added that the national government is allotting P400 billion for the pro-motion of good nutrition throughout the country.

Magpale also announced that members of the House of Representatives are asked to allocate P2 million to P3 million for their respective districts as assistance to the nutri-tion programs.

Part of the event was also dedicated in giving recognition to BNS for their excel-lent performance.    

Angelito Conde, a resident in Barangay Busaon, Tagum City, was the first male to receive the National Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar Award last year.

Conde, a father of two, admitted that in his 11 years as a BSN, he had learned a lot, valued his family and appreciated the duties of a mother.       

To finance the needs of his family, Conde accepted the duties of a nutrition volun-teer in their barangay.

"Abi nako'g gibinuangan ra ko kay pulos ra man sila babaye," Conde said.              

Because he has not even finished high school, Conde feared he might be disquali-fied for the award. But he was determined to get it and continued his fourth year in high school through the Alternative Learning System.

Yesterday, Conde received a trophy, a check worth P100,000 and a computer set from Rep. Angelo Palmones of AGHAM Partylist and an appointment from the mayor as nutrition committee staff of his city.

The two-day convention held in Cebu City was the second of the three nationwide events for the empowerment of over 25,000 BNS across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The first was conducted in Davao for the Mindanao leg which was attended by almost 1,500 volunteers at the Grand Men Seng Hotel last October 20-21, 2010 while the Luzon-based nutrition volunteers will gather on December 8-9 at the Philippine Trade and Training Center in Pasay City.

The National Nutrition Council governing board is currently chaired by Health Secretary Enrique Ona. (FREEMAN)