– 3 hours ago
MANILA, Philippines — UNICEF and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) have urged local government units to implement local nutrition plans that include policies to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages.
UNICEF and NNC made this call during the launch of this year’s theme for the Philippine Nutrition Action Plan (PPAN) 2023-2028 in Koronadal City on Monday, July 1. The theme is: “Let’s work together for nutritional security for all through PPAN!”
“To mark the 50th anniversary of Nutrition Month, we call on all sectors of society to support the Philippine Nutrition Action Plan. [to] “This vision will be a reality in every barangay. We encourage our local chief executives and other partners to implement their local nutrition action plans that reflect this vision,” NNC Executive Secretary Undersecretary Azucena Dayangilan said.
Read: Five-year plan developed to fight malnutrition
UNICEF said local governments should implement community nutrition plans, including “critical first 1,000-day interventions reaching at least 90 per cent of targeted pregnant women and infants aged 0-23 months”.
The agency should also develop policies to reduce the sale and consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, it added.
As the Philippines remains one of the countries with 65 percent of children living in acute food poverty, the NNC encouraged sectors to support the PPAN priority areas, which have 34 provinces with the highest rates of child poverty and food poverty.
Read: UNICEF: 2 million children in the Philippines severely food insecure
This year’s PPAN theme highlights the national plan to prioritise nutritional health and combat stunting and child overweight and obesity. The core nutrition framework aims to increase demand and promote healthier and more sustainable diets and nutrition education among families.
UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov recognised every child’s right to proper nutrition and the positive impact it has on children’s health.
“When children are well nourished, they are better able to learn, play and participate in their communities, and they are more resilient in the face of illness and crises,” Dendevnorov said.
The nutrition plan is in line with the country’s commitments to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the 2025 Global Goal on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016-2025, and the ASEAN Nutrition Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2018-2030.
