USC recognizes NNC7 in molding future nutritionists, dieticians in Cebu

CEBU CITY -- The University of San Carlos (USC)-School of Health Care Professions acknowledged the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Region VII for its valuable contribution and steadfast commitment in promoting dietetics and nutrition education, giving it a plaque of appreciation during the awarding rite on March 18 at SAFAD Theatre, USC-Talamban Campus, Cebu City.

Nutritionist-Dietician Christine Lopez received the award in behalf of the National Nutrition Council Region VII.  The citation emphasized the importance of NNC 7’s effort in helping future nutrition and dietetics professionals become more knowledgeable and proficient in the field of public health nutrition.

USC is an academic institution that is well-known for its dedication to providing high-quality healthcare education also honored its partnership with NNC in training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Nutritionist-Dietitians play a critical role in the health care industry considering changing food patterns, lifestyle diseases, and the rising incidence of malnutrition in the different life stages of the population.

Recognizing the crucial role of education in addressing these challenges, the NNC7 has consistently endeavored to provide invaluable resources, guidance, and expertise to students embarking on their academic and professional journey in this field.

NNC7 has actively collaborated with educational institutions like the USC through a variety of initiatives, such as seminars and campus-based nutrition education campaign aside from the internship program that promotes innovation, conversation and continuous learning to provide the students with knowledge, skills, and real-world experience they need to succeed in their chosen fields of work. (Photos: NNC7/Christine April Lopez)

Imee urges govt to implement PUV modernization now

CEBU CITY – Senator Imee Marcos urged the national government to decisively implement, without further delay, concrete solutions to pending issues hounding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“Alam naman natin malawakang problema ito… yung mga concern ng ating iba’t-ibang sektor ay hindi pa naa-address nang kumpleto. Nananawagan pa rin tayo ng malawakang konsultasyon sa mga owners, drivers, pati commuters, habal-habal, pati yung sumasakay na mga estudyante.  Ang transportasyon ay parang dugo, sirkulasyon ng bayan… yan talaga ang umiikot at nagpapairal ng negosyo, naghahatid ng estudyante, nagdadala ng may sakit sa ospital. Papaano tayo kikilos kapag wala ang ating mga driver?” Marcos said in a DWIZ radio interview on April 20.

The senator said an immediate, comprehensive consultation process with all stakeholders is key to solving festering problems in the stalled modernization push, most importantly, the inability of PUV operators and drivers to afford modern units.

She further stressed that modernizing the transport sector must not come at the expense of drivers whose only means of livelihood is driving their traditional jeepneys, and the riding public—both trying to make ends meet amid rising inflation and high cost of living.

Merely extending the April 30, 2024 franchise consolidation deadline will not address the issues, Marcos underscored.

“May palugit o wala, hindi rin natin mapipilit yung ating mga driver kapag hindi pa naisasaayos ang pagbili ng sasakyan; hindi pa malaman kung sino ang sasagot kapag hindi nakapagbayad ng utang. Lahat ito ay napakaimportante,” she explained.

Thousands of jeepney and UV express drivers nationwide will join a two-day nationwide strike, according to transport groups Manibela and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement the deadline for individual PUV operators and drivers to merge into cooperatives and corporations is final.

“Saan naman kukuha ng P2.4 milyon (cost of modern jeepney) kada isa? Ganun din ang problema ng kooperatiba, sinasabi na lahat ay sumali sa transport coop pero hanggang ngayon alam natin na maraming dumadaing na dati, sila ang may-ari, aba’y magiging empleyado na lamang sila ng kooperatiba.”

Jeepney operators who fail to meet the consolidation deadline will lose their franchise and must cease from plying their routes.  Marcos laments this will put further strain on an already problematic transport situation. (Photos: LTO portal/Google Images)

NNC7-OPT+ shows decline in all forms of malnutrition in 2023 though stunting remains a problem in C.Visayas

CEBU CITY – The National Nutrition Council (NNC-7) through its annual Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) recorded a decline in the prevalence of malnutrition in all its forms--stunted, wasted, underweight, and overweight in 2023 but stunting, low height-for-age, remains the top malnutrition problem in Central Visayas.

The 2023 OPT+ in Central Visayas results showed that a decrease in malnutrition prevalence for stunting, from 8.5 percent in 2022 to 7.2 percent in 2023; for wasting, from 2.2 percent to 1.4 percent; for underweight, from 3.6 percent to 3.2 percent and for overweight, from 2.8 percent to 2.1 percent.

The rate of decline in prevalence for all forms of malnutrition started when the pandemic began in 2020. It considered the decrease in OPT coverage from 82.4 percent to 78.8 percent as a possible factor for the drop of the prevalence rates, NNC-7 noted.

OPT+ is the annual child growth assessment for all 0- to 59-month-old children in the barangays conducted by trained teams.  The OPT Plus generates data on the nutritional status of children in a barangay, locates under- or over-nourished children, and guides local government units in nutrition program management.

Mission bared that the 2023 OPT+ reported that stunting still remains the top malnutrition problem in Central Visayas in 2023 with Negros Oriental having a prevalence rate of 4.7 percent or 5,538 children. Cebu has 3.5 percent or 9,725 stunted children while Bohol has 2.28 percent or 2,165 stunted children and Siquijor has 3.11 percent or 179 stunted children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stunting as low height-for-age. WHO stated that stunting happens as a result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition, usually associated with poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness and/or inappropriate feeding and care in early life.  WHO warns that stunting prevents children from reaching their physical and cognitive potentials.

“We urge local government units to implement interventions and invest in solutions focused on the First 1000 Days of a child’s life from pre-pregnancy to two years of age as an effective strategy against stunting in children,” Dr. Parolita Mission, NNC Region VII Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator said.

Mission added that the First 1000 Days of Life is one of the strategic thrusts of the 2023–2028 Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).   Some interventions that local government units can implement for First 1000 Days include supplementary feeding and micronutrient supplementation of pregnant women; promotion and supporting breastfeeding; and regular growth monitoring of weight and height.(Photos: NNC7/FB/Google Images)