Guinayangan LGU, IIRR conduct nutrition program planning workshop

By Rowena T. Cruz Officials from the Municipal Health Office, DepEd, and other local government units listen during the Planning Workshop on...

By Rowena T. Cruz

Officials from the Municipal Health Office, DepEd, and other local government units listen during the Planning Workshop on Nutrition Program aimed at enhancing public health services in Guinayangan, Quezon. (Guinayangan LGU)

GUINAYANGAN, Quezon – To address malnutrition and enhance public health, the local government of Guinayangan, in partnership with the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), recently conducted a two-day Planning Workshop on Nutrition Program. The event, held at the Mayor Placido Isaac Conference Hall, was designed to equip officials with strategies for improving public health.

The workshop was led by Mayor Cesar Isaac III, who was present for both days emphasized the administration's commitment to community well-being. "This workshop is a crucial step in our 'Health and Nutrition Program,' one of the pillars of our administration's agenda, by strengthening the capacity of our health workers and local officials, we can ensure that every resident, especially our mothers and children, has access to the services they need to live healthy and productive lives." Mayor Isaac said.



He also noted that the workshop's primary goal was to enhance the LGU's ability to provide adequate nutrition and healthcare to pregnant women, mothers, and infants. "It also aimed to guide various government agencies and departments in the planning and execution of programs to combat malnutrition," he added.

Key speakers and facilitators from the IIRR included Ms. Diana Jean Umali, ND Nutrition Officer; Ms. Shiela Anunciado, Program Manager for Food Security and Nutrition; and Emily Monville-Oro, Country Director for IIRR Philippines. Officials from the Municipal Health Office, including MNAO Dr. Kim Rojales and Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinator John Kim O. Rosales, RN, were also in attendance.

Among the other attendees were Hon. Angel Ardiente, Committee Chairperson on Health; Hon. Andrea Sales-Toquire; representatives from the DepEd North and South Districts; and Hon. Christopher Inciso from the PPLB. The event also included staff and leaders from various municipal departments, ensuring a multi-sectoral approach to program planning.

The workshop’s focus aligns with national efforts to improve public health outcomes. The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) serves as a national framework for local government units to address malnutrition, which remains a significant concern in the country. This local workshop is an example of the implementation of such plans at the municipal level, demonstrating a concerted effort to translate national strategies into tangible community actions.