Bayambang’s Municipal Nutrition Committee: All-Out Against Malnutrition (rewrite)

 Bayambang’s Municipal Nutrition Committee: All-Out Against Malnutrition

 

Tasked with ensuring that every Bayambangueño meets their nutritional and dietary needs, the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) of Bayambang operates with precision—anchored on comprehensive planning, efficient implementation, and meticulous monitoring and evaluation to guarantee sustainability.

At the heart of this effort lies the Local Nutrition Action Plan, the blueprint upon which all local nutrition programs, projects, and activities are founded each year.

Among its most notable initiatives is the 90-Day Dietary Supplementation Program for Pregnant Women, the first and only program of its kind in the entire region. Traditionally designed for children, this program was expanded a few years ago after studies showed its effectiveness in addressing malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, beginning with pregnancy—aptly summarized by the mantra, “Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby.”

Launched in 2021 through a National Nutrition Council (NNC) grant, the program has successfully catered to 900 pregnant women, both low-BMI and normal-BMI. Owing to its success, the LGU replicated the program using local funds, this time targeting nutritionally at-risk pregnant women by providing fresh milk, eggs, iodized salt, biscuits, and fruits. For this innovative initiative, the LGU received the DOH’s Healthy Pilipinas Award in the Nutrition Category.

The Infant and Young Child Feeding Program centers on breastfeeding and complementary feeding, highlighting the importance of maternal education through community forums. This year, the LGU expanded the number of breastfeeding support groups in barangays, recognizing that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, coupled with proper complementary feeding thereafter, builds a strong foundation for a child’s health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when no vaccine was available for infants, breastmilk served as their natural defense against illness. This program works in tandem with the First 1000 Days Program, a longstanding initiative in the municipality.

In conjunction with these, the MNC conducts ECCD Checklist Child Developmental Milestone Assessments, training Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) to evaluate the growth and development of children aged 0–2 years, in partnership with the NNC. Standardized checklists are used to detect developmental delays, allowing timely referral to doctors and specialists.

The Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) program, implemented with the Rural Health Units, tracks the nutritional status of all children aged 0–59 months, creating a reliable database for identifying malnourished or underserved populations.

To ensure accuracy in data collection, the MNC—through DOST’s assistance—provides annual free calibration of weighing scales in all 77 barangays. Only in 2020 did barangays shoulder this expense, as it was included in their Barangay Nutrition Action Plans. To further improve accuracy, the LGU also distributed 77 mounted height boards and acquired infantometers in 2022 for precise measurement of infants’ length.

Children found to be underweight, stunted, or wasted in OPT Plus are enrolled in the Routine Dietary Supplementation Program for 6–59-month-old children, implemented over three months to support recovery. Initiated in 2016, this regular feeding program has continued annually, with expanded efforts during the pandemic. In 2019, beneficiaries received food packs containing vegetables, fruits, eggs, bread, oil, sugar, iron-fortified rice, and biscuits. Last year, the LGU sourced fresh supplies from local farmers—funded by the MDRRMO—benefiting both children and farmers alike. This year, the program continues through the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Alongside feeding efforts, multivitamins are distributed to other assessed children not included in the feeding program. Additionally, through the Komprehensibong Serbisyo sa Bayan Year 4, supplemental feeding activities bring fresh fruits and eggs directly to the homes of pre-assessed malnourished children. Eggs—rich in high-value protein, fats, choline, and folate—are recognized as a “superfood” for both children and pregnant women, while fruits provide fiber and essential vitamins that strengthen immunity.

The MNC also ensures compliance with Municipal Ordinance No. 2, s. 2020, which enforces the sale and use of fortified products. Regular monitoring is conducted in bakeries and retail stores to verify the use of vitamin A-fortified flour, iodized salt, and vitamin A-fortified cooking oil, in alignment with Republic Act 8976 (Food Fortification Act).

To promote food security, the committee monitors household backyard gardens in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO). Through the First 1000 Days Program, gardening inputs and seedlings from the ECCD F1K Greenhouse are distributed to beneficiary families. Recognizing that feeding is only a temporary solution, the program emphasizes sustainable food production, which proved vital during pandemic lockdowns.

The MNC also monitors school-based nutrition programs, ensuring that only nutritious food options are served in canteens—a practice that began in 2019.

Capacity-building remains a priority. Since 2016, the office has trained both mothers and frontline nutrition workers—including BNS and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs)—through various courses: BNS Basic Course, e-OPT Plus, CGS, ECCD Card Refresher, ECCD F1K Phase 1–3, DOST-Pinoy, and Nutrition Early Warning System Trainings. These equip workers with essential skills—from proper infant weighing to maternal counseling—enabling smoother implementation of national PPAs at the barangay level.

The Municipal Nutrition Action Office (MNAO) directly supervises BNS performance through accomplishment reports. Notably, in 2016, there were fewer than 20 BNS, but under the current administration, there is now one BNS per barangay. Each receives an additional honorarium from the LGU, on top of what they earn from their barangays, with further incentives based on performance.

The MNC likewise monitors the Barangay Nutrition Action Plans (BNAPs). Following the approval of Municipal Ordinance No. 2, s. 2020, authored by Councilor Benjamin Francisco de Vera and supported by the Sangguniang Bayan and the Municipal Mayor, every barangay now allocates a dedicated nutrition budget. Whereas funding used to come solely from the municipal level, nearly all barangays now have their own feeding and nutrition programs—proof of their growing commitment. Plans are underway to launch a Search for Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committees to recognize these local efforts.

In collaboration with FNRI-DOST, the MNC participates in research on exclusive breastfeeding practices and implements Nutrition Early Warning System surveys to anticipate and address hunger and malnutrition trends.

The annual Nutrition Month celebration remains one of the committee’s flagship initiatives for public awareness. In accord with the year’s theme, the celebration activities underscore the importance of early intervention, supported by creative educational activities throughout the month.

The office also facilitates partnerships with private groups and individuals wishing to conduct feeding projects, coordinating through its official Facebook page: Nutrition Section LGU Bayambang.

Additionally, the MNC assists patients or children with medical conditions referred by the Mayor’s Action Center or local physicians, providing them with prescribed nutritional formulas.

In summary, the Bayambang Municipal Nutrition Committee remains steadfast in its mission—from nurturing healthy pregnancies to ensuring child development—coordinating community-wide efforts to achieve one goal: total quality service in the pursuit of proper nutrition for every Bayambangueño.