RDC seeks improvement of WV's nutrition status

Children are our true wealth and their growth is affected by the problem on malnutrition.

With this concern, Antique Governor and  Regional Development Council (RDC) Chair Salvacion Z. Perez  voiced an urgent call to all local government executives in Western Visayas  to collectively pool government and private resources to address the malnutrition problem.

How widespread is the malnutrition problem in Western Visayas Region? The l998 Fifth National Nurition Survey conducted by the Food and Nurition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology showed that about 40 in every l00 pre-school  children (0-5 years) are underweight; 60 in every l00 are normal; and one in every l000 children is overweight based  on the International Reference Standards; three in every ten children, 6 months to 5 years old are afflicted with iron deficiency anemia;  Four in every  ten children, 6 months to 5 years have low to deficient Vitamin A levels; and Four in every ten children, 6 to l2 years old have iodine deficiency disorders.

In an interview with the PIA,  Governor Zaldivar said that it is very important to shape the growth and development of our children. “How can they study and become intelligent when they are hungry and sickly”, the governor said.

The Governor said that while the malnutrition rating in our region is high, “it is time that the leaders of Region VI, the governors, mayors and the other local government executives should  give more  attention to the nutrition program”.

She said that her presence as RDC Chair in the  l6th Nutrition Congress held yesterday (August 2) “is a strong message that RDC will pay attention to our nutrition program” .

Governor Perez said that as RDC chair it is incumbent upon her to push for the nutrition program . “I will appeal to the governors, mayors and other LGU executives to allocate some of their resources for their nutrition program, and  also urge them to strengthen their respective nutrition councils”, she said .

Meanwhile, the l6th Nutrition Congres with its theme: “Batang May Kinabukasan, Sa Wastong Nutrisyon Simulan”,  recognized LGUs for their effective implementation of the nutrition program in their localities . Awarded  as Regional Outstanding Municipality is Nabas, Aklan. The brunners-up are Calinog, Iloilo; La Castellana, Negros Occ. and San Remegio, Antique; Regional Outsatnding City- Talisay City, Negros Occ., runner-up-La Carlota City, Negros ; Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars, City level: Bacolod-Gertrudes Amonoy; Cadiz-Juliet Ocon; Kabankalan-Jeselyn Bayadog; La Carlota- Genie Alonzo; Passi- Lyden Pantilanan; Sipalay-Ruth Pagonzaga; Talizay-Nieda Duron; Provincial level: Aklan-Leah Reontoy; Antique- Jemma Bacongallo; Guimaras Imelda Reala; Iloilo- Emelina Tanlogon; Negros Occidental-Nanette Junio. Genie Alonzo of La Carlota City, Negros Occ. is the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar .

The Nutrtion Congress had Celeste C. Tanchoco, Scientist III, Chief of the Science and Tech. Division of FNRI, DOST, Taguig, Manila as resource person who discussed the Updates on Eggs and Monosodium Glutamates . Also given focus was the lecture of Engr. Oscar G. Garin of Garin Farm, Guimbal, Iloilo on Entrepreneurial Farming Towards Food and Nutrition Security. (PIA/T.Villavert)