CRUCIAL legislative support is the common element present in the 10 outstanding municipal nutrition council winners to bag for them this year’s nutrition honors handed by the Provincial Nutrition Council.
Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas said his town has drastically raised their budget for health and nutrition to P7M as local officials agree that the problem of nutrition needs tow pronged solution.
Aside from regular supplemented feedings for preschoolers and elementary kids, Salinas said they have put up budgets to show their sincerity in solving the problem as well as craft ordinances on backyard gardening, mandatory tree planting.
The same is true with Inabanga, which has cascaded their legislation to the barangays, said Virgincita Aunio of barangay Cagawasan and the provincial winner in the barangay nutrition scholar category for this year’s nutrition search.
The legislated program for zero malnutrition in the barangays, says Aunio is also complemented with Barangay Nutrition Council (BNC) Sari-sari Store, Malungayan sa Purok and the equally innovative BNC Garden.
Garcia Hernandez vice mayor Miguelito Galendez added that their rationalized Development of Agriculture and Environmental Program (DAEP) has streamlined all their operational nutri-program.
Mabini Vice Mayor Ester Tabigie also agreed that legislative support for nutri-programs get children a better chance to get out of malnutrition. She added that her town has legislated for malunggay tree planting and cultivation, increased budget for nutrition and regular BNC meetings.
Tubigon Mayor Luna Piezas, who also innovates with his waste recycling facility now being used to generate funds for nutrition programs said he has allowed local governments to plan and map out solutions just as the town council assures whatever support they can give.
Also using innovative fund raising activities, several towns have upped their nutrition status by creatively engaging people to help.
For her town, Antequera Mayor Cecilia Rebosura puts up Little King and Queens and donation boxes during meetings to raise their pot money for their supplemental feeding programs.
Talibon councilor Tomas Garcia said his town innovates by using Sensilyo Mo, Kalusugan Ko to raise funds for supplemental feeding. (PIA)
