The prevalence of stunting among children under five years old in the Philippines has greatly improved from 33.4% in 2015 to 30.3% in 2018. However, to meet the 2022 Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) target of 21.4% reduction in stunting and the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of zero malnutrition, a 2.2 and 2.5 percentage point decrease, respectively, in stunting per year have to be achieved.
To address this, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI) conducted the Virtual Stakeholders Forum in Region IV-B or MIMAROPA on 08 September 2020.
The highlight of the forum was the presentation of the recent results of the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), food technologies ready for transfer and commercialization, and the technology transfer and commercialization procedures.
Results of the ENNS will serve as scientific basis in guiding nutrition officers and frontiners like the BNS (Barangay Nutrition Scholars) and BHWs (Barangay Health Workers) in the implementation and evaluation of nutrition and health programs in the region. The BNS and BHWs are being trained by the DOST-FNRI under the DOST- PINOY Malnutrition Reduction Program.
Participants in the forum included regional, provincial, city and municipal nutrition officers as well the BNS and BHWs in MIMAROPA region.
For more information on the ENNS, nutritious and fortified food technologies or other food and nutrition concerns, contact: Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Officer in-Charge, Office of the Director, DOST-FNRI, FNRI Building, DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila.
Furthermore, to promote its advocacy on proper nutrition, the DOST-FNRI, in cooperation with the DOST regional and provincial offices in MIMAROPA region, are also pushing for the adoption of innovative food technologies that can produce nutritious food products like complementary foods and the Enhanced Nutribun that the agency developed.
The Enhanced Nutribun and other innovative food products can be adopted by the Department of Education (DepEd) for their school feeding program and can also be included in the food packs distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for their programs.
The production of the Enhanced Nutribun will provide alternative livelihood opportunities for complementary food processing centers and bakery workers, farmers as sources of raw materials like rice, mongo, and squash plus other related suppliers and service providers.
Interested parties may also call the direct telephone lines: 837-2934, 837-3164; or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and visit the website: www.fnri.dost.gov.ph; Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (Salvador R. Serrano, DOST-FNRI S&T Media Service)
