CITY REVISITS NUTRITION PROGRAM

As part of the city government's efforts to make and keep residents healthy, the city's Nutrition Program for 2010 was subjected to monitoring and evaluation.

This was held on January 19, 2011 led by Dr. Arnildo Tamayo and Richel Eve A. Torralba, RND, city nutrition action officer with the members and representatives of the Olongapo City Nutrition Community.

The activity was also in preparation to RNet - Regional Nutrition Evaluation aside from aiming to formulate a nutrition action plan, reorient the members of the committee about the goals of nutrition in order to have one direction.

Moreover, it highlights the seven priority actions which are as follows: Reduce underweight children 0-10 years old. Reduce proportion of households with inadequate caloric intake, vitamin A deficiency, anemia, and iodine deficiency disorder. Contribute to reduced levels of indicators of risk factors associated with Non communicable diseases.

“We rank no. 3 and we can be no. 1 in nutrition in the country in the future!” Richel Eve Torralba said.

“Prevention is better than cure,” Barangay Health Doctor Ana Figuerres said referring to malnutrition, sickness and disease.

It was established during the activity that:

CPDO (City Planning and Development Office) monitors a group of women in the production level of iodized salt; will conduct Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) 2011, which is about Health and Sanitation and access to safe water, among others;

The Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) is coming up with a television show on nutrition and cooking;

The DOST (Department of Science and Technology), is promoting squash pan de sal;

The Feeding Program of the DepEd, (Department of Education) is still ongoing;

The DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) supervises 17 barangays if they are passing reports regarding nutrition and oversees the health and nutrition of children;

POPCOM (Population Commission) encourages the use of iodized salt;

Brgy. East Tapinac will have a weighing program this coming month;

Dra. Figuerres and Torralba goes around the 17 barangays to inspire barangay health workers to do their work well in preparation for RNet;

Brgy. West Bajac-Bajac checks Purok leaders by holding a once a month meeting and taking care of pregnant women and babies;

Urban Basic Services for the Poor (UBSP) holds mother’s classes in community, backyard gardening, breastfeeding and food with Sangkap Pinoy seal for school children;

Aris Romualdo, representative of Councilor Edna Elane reported about the lower price for Dental services, free dental services for the indigents, and Dental Mission for Senior Citizens;

SupeRice, rice fortified with iron inside the grain was announced by Dr. Tamayo.