The Department of Science and Technology-Food Nutrition and Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) and the Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) recently launched a Malnutrition Reduction Program (MRP) in Sitio Nanabu, Barangay Caramay in Roxas.
Provincial nutrition action officer Rachel Paladan said that the site was identified as a beneficiary of the program for being a “nutritionally depressed” area with a high rate of malnutrition.
She also said that the majority of its residents are indigenous peoples (IP).
Paladan said the MRP includes a feeding program, micro-nutrient supplementation for children, consultation for severely or acutely malnourished, mother’s class program, and multi-vitamins for pregnant women.
“Importante dito na mayroong nutrition education ang mga nanay o ang tinatawag natin na mother’s class. Ito po ay pangungunahan ng ating mga Barangay Environment, Agriculture and Nutrition Scholars. Sila ang magtuturo nang anim na modules ng DOST-PINOY. Isa pa, ang mental feeding o pagkaing pangkaisipan at ang kasanayan ng mga nanay kung paano mapanatiling malusog ang mga anak nila lalo na noong simula ng pagbubuntis hanggang sa 1,000 days ng isang bata para maagapan po natin ang problema,” she said.
The Barangay Nutrition Scholars’ Association Roxas also helped in the implementation of the program.
Earlier, the Palawan provincial government said it will intensify its efforts to reduce last year’s malnutrition rate of 8.98 percent.
The malnutrition rate recorded in 2018 was higher than 2017’s record of 8.80 percent.
Vitamin Angels, a non-government organization, also donated vitamins to the program.
“Sana maabot po natin ang layunin ng barangay at munisipyo na maipababa po natin ang dami ng mga batang kulang sa timbang at may malnutrisyon,” Dr. Luz Escubin, Vitamin Angels country director, said.
