Bayambang’s local government unit (LGU) led by Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao has launched a massive campaign against child malnutrition, including a feeding program that is set to start on December 5, 2016. He revealed this in a press conference held at the Bayambang Municipal Conference Hall by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) Pangasinan Chapter on Friday, December 1, 2016.
Assisted by Vice-Mayor Raul Sabangan, Rural Health Unit 1 Head, Dr. Paz Vallo, and Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Venus Bueno, Quiambao detailed his grand plan to address the twin issues of child malnutrition and poverty that his administration inherited. He believes these two issues have a cause-and-effect relationship. Responding to live queries fielded by members of the Pangasinan press over DZRD Sonshine Radio, Mayor Quiambao said that his program consists of the following components:
- Creation of an ordinance (care of the local Sangguniang Bayan) regarding the Health Care Code, to direct the RHU 1 to monitor pregnant women based on the fact that child care starts with prenatal care
- Allocation of a municipal budget for nutrition for 2016, and raising it to P6M for 2017 on top of the P5M Early Child Care Fund from the National Nutrition Council (NNC)
- Creation of a Municipal Nutrition Action Office and a full-time Municipal Nutrition Action Officer in the person of licensed nutritionist Venus Bueno
- Deworming of children
- Free laboratory exams for indigent pregnant mothers
- Lectures for parents regarding proper nutrition
- Mothers’ classes and related activities such as Buntis Day/Buntis Party at the barangay level
- A 21-day feeding program starting on December 5, 2016, which includes three square meals
- Continuous supply of ferrous sulphate and folic acid for pregnant women and supplemental iron for postpartum mothers
- Backyard gardening for sustainability through the assistance of the Municipal Agriculture Office, in the belief that it is parents, not the government (whose role is limited to assisting), who are responsible for raising and taking care of their children
- Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) through Quiambao’s private foundation Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc. (KKSBFI)
- Information campaign on family planning (care of RHU 1)
- Emergency employment program (through barangay infrastructure projects) and long-term employment program (through a planned export economic zone)
Mayor Quiambao took the challenge of child malnutrition as a tall order upon learning that Bayambang was ranked number 1 in child malnutrition not just in Pangasinan but also in Region I and number 4 nationwide in 2016.
Dr. Vallo and Municipal Nutritionist Bueno explained that they will ensure proper monitoring of the children’s progress through the Early Child Care Development or ECCD card. They will also be empowering health workers and nutrition scholars in the grassroots to keep an eye on the actual feeding process, to ensure that the food really reaches the targeted children.
Ma. Eileen B. Blanco, Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Region I, thanked Mayor Quiambao for recognizing instead of dismissing the problem and acting on it with urgency.
With all his plans considered, Mayor Quiambao made a repeated appeal to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to approve Bayambang LGU’s budget for 2016 so he could freely allocate the enormous funds needed to launch his anti-malnutrition campaign.
The press conference was the culminating part of an activity held earlier in the day at the adjoining Municipal Covered Court dubbed “2016 RONDA-1 Civic Advocacy.” Among the highlights of the program is the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on ECCD F1K, an Orientation on the First 1000 Days by Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Andreissa Fae S. Ranchez, a Livelihood Program on Buro-Making by Josie Vallo, and story-telling for the children in attendance who are mostly from 4P’s families. The pregnant mothers in attendance received free information kits and surprise gifts as well.
The event was a collaboration project between the NNC, Regional Organization of Nutrition Development Advocates (RONDA), KBP Pangasinan Chapter, League of Nutrition Action Officers-Region 1, LUPangIlocos Barangay Nutrition, Scholar Federation Inc., Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Commission on Population, and the Bayambang LGU.
(Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs)