The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
WEDNESAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016
Growing of own produce help increase nutritional status of country – FNRI
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Based on findings by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Food Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), households growing their own produce such as vegetables, tubers and roots and fruits add to the quality of life and nutritional status of the country.
In the Regional Dissemination Forum: 2015, Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipino children and other population groups on 27 October in Cagayan de Oro City conducted by DOST-FNRI and National Nutrition Council (NNC) region 10, FNRI shared that even though majority of the households in the country have “acceptable” food consumption level, what is important is the quality of food they intake. Cristina G. Malabad, of FNRI-DOST explained that 59% of households in Northern Mindanao, consume dark, green leafy vegetables from their own produce. Meanwhile 34.7% have their own Vitamin A rich fruits and 27.9% for other vegetables. Food security is a factor to malnutrition. However, being able to eat three times a day is not solely based on availability or accessibility of food but its sustainability. Malabad said that they are urging families and households to plant vegetables in their own yard. On the other hand, there are emerging problems with Noncommunicable Disease risk factors in the country including increasing trends of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, persistence of overweight and obesity among adults, continuing declines in smoking, except in 20-29 age group, increasing trends in binge drinking among females and persistence of high proportions of inactive female adults. In terms of malnutirition in
children, one identified problem according to FNRI is the prevalence of stunting among children under five years old (0-59 months). In region 10, prevalence of this is 36.5%. This matters because stunting or slowed growth is largely irreversible outcome of inadequate nutrition and repeated bouts of infection during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. Further, stunting or other measures of lost growth potential is associated with reduced grade attainment. It has long term effects such as diminished cognitive and physical development, reduced productive capacity and poor health. When it comes to genes, FNRI says it’s not really the genes that contribute to stunting but the inadequate nutrition of the child in his or her first 1000 days. Mildred Guirindola of FNRI-DOST said that 59.5% of mothers Northern Mindanao is exclusively breastfeeding their children from 0-5 months higher than the average of the country which is 48.8%. However, this has declined from 2011 with 64.1% to 2015 with 59.5%. Guirindola also stressed that when the child reaches six months, he or she must be introduced with complementary feeding. This must be composed of the seven food groups such as grains, roots and tubers, dairy products, vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables, other fruits and vegetables, eggs, flesh meat and legumes and nuts. However, in region
10, only 89.9% of children 6-23 months are meeting the minimum meal frequency compared to the average of the country at 91.7%. Among the recommendations of FNRI include enhance governance
between national and local government, increased resources specifically for nutrition and improved nutrition information systems at local levels. (JMOR/PIA10)
Valencia city library hailed as 2nd top Tech4ed center in Mindanao VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – The Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ICTO) awarded Valencia City Public Library as 2nd top Tech4ED Center in Mindanao. City Librarian Aine Q. Mecisamente, said such recognition was a result of their efforts and exemplary performance for consistently offering the services of Tech4ED to the people of Valencia. It was known that the Valencia City public library partnered with the DOST-ICTO in launching the Tech4ED Project in June 17 last year. Tech4ED or Technology for Economic Development is a project component of the eFilipino program of the ICT Office of DOST that aims to harness ICT to enable, empower and transform society towards creating an inclusive, integrated and equitable countryside. Mecisamente also said that the
City Library is fortunate to be assisted by DOST-ICTO. She said the city government through Mayor Azucena P. Huervas will continue to support the Tech4ED program and bring information and communications technology opportunities in the city. The award was accorded on October 14, 2016 during the 1st Center Managers Conference held at De Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. (LGU-Valencia City)
Malaybalay local govt marks “good” rating for 2016 ARTA survey MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Malaybalay City Government marked “good” rating this year with final score of 89.57 against its 2015 score of 78.00. Civil Service Commission, Region 10 (CSC-10) conducted the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) survey in Malaybalay City Government on August 16-18 this year to look into the local government unit’s compliance to the said Act. Survey results showed that Malaybalay City performed well and got a place on top of other local government unit (LGU) cards. In compliance with ARTA, the CSC based the scores on various components such as Citizen’s Charter, Anti-Fixer Campaign, wearing of IDs/nameplates, presence of Public Assistance and Complaints Desk, and the ‘No Noon Break’ policy. The survey’s second phase focused on how LGUs serve their clients, which was based on clients’ overall satisfaction to frontline service providers including service quality,
physical setup or layout, and provision of basic facilities. Malaybalay city government, meanwhile, got a perfect score on adherence to ID-wearing, strict observance to ‘no hidden’ costs, and the commitment of ‘no-noon-break’ policy. City Administrator Herculano S. Ronolo received the official ARTA report card from CSC-10 Assistant Regional Director Noemi Rabe-Torres. CSC-10, however, stressed that the City Government should focus more into the sub-area of awareness and information of the presence of the institutionalized frontline services of different offices through the visibility of Citizens Charter in conspicuous places intended for the transacting public. (AdminISD-RAO/MCG)