ILOILO – Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) head, Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, was named the 2021 National Outstanding Provincial Nutrition Action Officer.
Quiñon received the award during the 2022 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Metro Manila on Monday, March 20.
The award was conferred by Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman Karlo Nograles, Department of Health (DOH) acting secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, and DOH assistant secretary and NNC executive director Azucena Dayanghirang.
“Countries will not be able to break out of poverty or sustain economic advances when so much of their population is unable to achieve nutritional security. Good nutrition is a fundamental driver of development goals, and the costs of inaction are enormous. Remember, a stunted body will lead to a stunted brain and stunted lives. Let us all unite to achieve a shared vision of Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay,” Quiñon said.
The basis for the award was the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Protocol (MELLPI Pro) of NNC.
The MELLPI Pro is the monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition at the local level.
The functionality and performance of the local government units (LGUs) are particularly checked through their nutrition action officer in the conduct of coordination; orientation, promotion and advocacy; planning, monitoring and evaluation; and capacity development and technical assistance on nutrition programs.
“Nag-come up sila sang MELLPI tool para ma-assess kon kamusta ang provinces, municipalities, cities, and barangays on the implementation of nutrition program,” said Quiñon.
These are the categories for assessment:
* efficiencies and effectiveness of nutrition program implementation based on program outreach, budget allocation, and expenditure
* contribution of the LGU on nutrition program, with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. allocating a budget for nutrition action officers, nutritionists, and other personnel to function and support the implementation of the nutrition programs
* interventions or programs to address malnutrition status in the community
* advocacies for the continuing support for nutrition program like for trainings and upgrading
Proof of the effectiveness of the provincial government’s nutrition program is the lower prevalence rate for stunting and wasting in 2021.
Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation, according to the World Health Organization.
Wasting or thinness – in most cases, a recent and severe process of weight loss – is often associated with acute starvation and/or severe disease.
Stunting prevalence rates in the province were 7.85 percent in 2018, 7.39 percent in 2019, 8.73 percent in 2020, and 7.46 percent in 2021 (12,000 children aged zero to 59 months).
The province’s wasting prevalence rate was 1.84 percent in 2018, 1.90 percent in 2019, 2.12 percent in 2020, and 1.58 percent in 2021 (2,552 children aged zero to 59 months).
Quiñon said the IPHO will continue its efforts to lower these prevalence rates.
In 2022, the provincial government distributed nutrivac, or family food packs for indigent families with stunted or wasted children.
The advocacy of the IPHO, together with health workers and barangay officials, for pregnant mothers to encourage eating nutritious food and drinking vitamins is also ongoing.
Along with Quiñon in receiving the award were Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Provincial Board member Valentine Marcelo Serag, and Regional Nutrition Program coordinator Regie Guillen.
The awarding ceremony was also attended by the Iloilo Provincial Nutrition Council members: IPHO’s Dr. Wendel Tupas Marcelo, provincial agriculturist Dr. Ildefonso Toledo, Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital chief Dr. Ronnel Quinon, Provincial Population Office acting head Von Superio, Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ma. Luz de los Reyes, and Provincial Nutrition Program coordinator Leni D. Causing./PN
