I.
Summary
Malnutrition among preschoolers and schoolchildren is
prevalent in Bicol. Food and dietary patterns as well as
changing lifestyles result to certain nutritional problems.
In the Updated Bicol Development Plan 2008-2010, the
objectives for nutrition are: (1) reduce hunger incidence
and promote good nutrition in food-poor areas; (2) mitigate
protein energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and
over nutrition; (3) contribute to the incidence of low birth
weight; and (4) contribute to the reduction by 30 percent
the prevalence rate of lifestyle- related non-communicable
diseases by 2010.
The strategic framework for nutrition addresses hunger at
the supply side or the sufficiency of food and at the demand
side or the ability to buy food. On the supply side,
measures are along producing more food and ensure efficient
logistics and food delivery to whom and where it is needed.
On the demand side, measures are geared towards putting more
money in poor people’s pocket, diversifying their diet and
managing population levels.
In 2008, progress in nutrition programs were made through
the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) focused on
addressing hunger to ensure good nutrition. Malnutrition
among preschoolers and schoolchildren went down during the
period 2007-2008.
However, the prevalence of malnutrition and micronutrient
deficiencies is still alarming. Attention should be more
focused on growing children because the state of nutrition
is highly associated with cognitive development and
schooling performance. Adequate calorie intake should be
provided as well as measures to prevent diseases such as
diarrhea, measles, respiratory infections, intestinal
parasitism and HIV infection.
II.
Assessment
In 2008,
the protein and energy nutrition improved as the percentage
of malnourished preschoolers declined from 19.71 percent in
2007 to 19.45 percent in 2008 (Table 2.1). Among the
provinces, the highest improvement was noted in Albay and
lowest in Camarines Sur. Among the cities, Naga posted the
highest improvement.
The highest percentages of malnourished preschoolers in 2008
were in Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. The lowest
percentages were in Sorsogon and Camarines Norte (Table
2.1).
The adverse effects of the strong typhoons in 2006 on the
economic activities and the high cost of living in 2008
exerted much pressure especially on food poor families.
There was little improvement in the nutritional status of
schoolchildren from 30.6 percent malnourished in SY
2007-2008 to 30.3 percent in SY 2008-2009. It was highest
among the pre-elementary level students with boys being more
malnourished than the girls. Stunting was high, majority in
the pre-elementary level, at 27.8 percent in SY 2007-2008
and 26.6 percent in SY 2008-2009.
No surveys were done for the region for micronutrient
deficiency in 2008. High prevalence though of anemia,
Vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency disorder in 2005
based on the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI)
survey may still be dominant until 2008 in far-flung areas
and in urban areas.
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the local
government units jointly implemented programs for nutrition
under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).
The PPAN underscores the involvement of health, agriculture,
food production, food processing and manufacturing sectors
to ensure adequate supply of safe, nutritious and quality
food products to the people. The programs for nutrition
were: (1) home, school, and community food production; (2)
livelihood assistance; (3) micronutrient supplementation;
(4) food fortification; (5) nutrition education; (6) food
assistance; (7) nutrition in essential maternal, and child
health services; and (8) enabling mechanism.
Home, school and community production.
Planting materials for food crops were distributed to 9,214
Grades 4 to 6 schoolchildren, 285,658 families with
malnourished preschoolers and 6,044 families with
malnourished schoolchildren. Fruit and vegetable nurseries
were also established. Twenty eight barangays were provided
with water impounding projects. Poultry and livestock were
distributed to 1,372 families with malnourished children.
Livelihood assistance.
Financial assistance for livelihood were provided to
10,851 families with malnourished preschoolers and
schoolchildren, 1,050 other families, 183 nutritionally
depressed barangays and 1,681 rural improvement clubs.
Livelihood trainings were likewise provided to 256 families
and 141 women’s groups/ farmers.
Micronutrient supplementation.
Infants, schoolchildren, pregnant and lactating women and
sick children were provided with Vitamin A, iodine, iron and
other medicines and vitamins. Vitamin A was given to1,642
infants, 22,660 preschoolers, 112,878 schoolchildren, and
8,315 pregnant and lactating mothers, among others. Iodine
was provided to 400 schoolchildren and iron was given to
4,068 infants, 1,338 preschoolers, and 3,982 schoolchildren.
Schoolchildren were given medicines and vitamins during
emergencies.
Food fortification.
There were 2,222,477 households, 1,071 establishments, 173
schools and 246 eateries that used iodized salt. The high
number of utilization was due to the selling of iodized salt
in sari-sari stores and markets. On the other hand, Sangkap
Pinoy seal products were sold in 1,714 establishments and
171 schools and 2,251 sari-sari stores.
Nutrition education.
The activities on nutrition education were the conduct of
nutrition classes for mothers, Pabasa sa Nutrisyon in 1,203
barangays, conduct of Buntis classes, and promotion of
childrearing practices to 20,557 mothers/caregivers.
Information campaign on breastfeeding, nutritional
guidelines and nutrition messages were also intensified.
Food assistance.
Supplementary feeding was provided to preschoolers and
schoolchildren, and 220 underweight malnourished pregnant
and lactating mothers. Emergency feeding operations were
also undertaken for 23,178 families in crisis situations and
4,092 preschoolers.
Nutrition in essential maternal and child health
services.
Maternal
and child health services in 2008 consisted of maternal
pre-natal and post natal care, immunization of children,
promotion of breastfeeding, deworming and provision of
dental care and conduct or responsible parenting sessions.
Enabling mechanism.
To strengthen coordination and collaboration, various
sectors provided trainings, meetings, and support to other
nutrition programs. Nutrition committees were reorganized,
task forces for special projects were created.
The special projects such as the AHMP had the following
highlights of accomplishments in the region.
-
Establishment of Gulayan sa Masa for 26,625
beneficiaries in Masbate, 37,061 in Camarines Norte and
53,400 in Camarines Sur
-
Distribution of livestock to 2,070 clients in Camarines
Norte, Masbate and Camarines Sur
-
Rise
subsidy to 10,443 beneficiaries in Camarines Norte,
21,944 in Masbate and 61,402 in Camarines Sur\
-
Operation of 749 Tindahan Natin outlets – Albay (101),
Camarines Sur (175),Catanduanes (48),Masbate (300), and
Sorsogon (125)
-
Construction of 176.65 kms of road for 15,747
beneficiaries in Masbate, Camarines Sur and Camarines
Norte
-
Provision of assistance to 222,251 clients released with
P2.5M
-
Jobs
generation for micro finance and SEA-K totaled 118,405
with P2,448.97 million loan released
-
Establishment of bagsakan centers in 6 barangays located
in Iriga, Goa, and Camalig
-
Distribution of rice bags to 44,621 schoolchildren in
Masbate, 4,777 in Albay, 1,482 in Camarines Sur and
2,080 in Sorsogon
