25 August 2023, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. The Philippine Statistics Authority–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PSA-BARMM) was invited to participate in the BARMM Culmination Activity of the 49th Nutrition Month Celebration with the theme “Healthy Diet, Gawing Affordable for All. The activity was spearheaded by National Nutrition Council (NNC)-BARMM, participated by all Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) members. As agreed by the RNC an outreach/convergence activity to deliver health, nutrition and other-related services in the municipality of Parang, Maguindanao. As this kind of activity will give more impact to the lives of the Bangsamoro people.
Primarily, Nutrition Month is celebrated annually in July to advocate and raise awareness of the importance of nutrition among Filipinos. By Presidential Decree 491, the National Nutrition Council is mandated to lead and coordinate the campaign nationwide, with the regional offices to be in charge of the campaign in their respective regions.
Considering the severity of the problems of stunting and malnutrition, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 includes on its goals and targets to ''Keep food and overall prices low and stable” which is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 2, aims to creatine a world free of hunger by 2030. The Bangsamoro Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028 was crafted and to be launched in September 2023 to which the office is also part of technical working group.
The participation of PSA-BARMM was to give a lecture on the importance of civil registration documents, registration of National ID, and releasing of electronic Philsys ID, and registration of late Birth certificates.
In addition, the Ministry of Health (MOH) through the Nutrition Division delivered services such as eye screening and check-up, nutrition screening for 0 – 59 months old children, and distribution of ENutriBuns; and the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) facilitated the awarding of prizes on Gulayan sa Paaralan Program.
Furthermore, there was also a presentation on waste segregation facilitated by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE); and Kwentuhan with Mothers in connection with the Kababaihan Law, which was facilitated by the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC).
Guests who graced the activity consist of the following dignitaries: Honorable Abunawas L. Maslamama, Senior Minister and RNC Chair, Office of the Senior Minister – BARRM, Honorable Abdulraof A. Macacua, Governor, Maguindanao del Norte; Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr., Member of Parliament; and Dr. Bongarsa D. Tomawis Jr., Chief, Medical Officer V, Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
ENGR. AKAN G TULA
OIC-Regional Director
EDFE/MSM/BDD
