Batanes gears toward zero-malnutrition, cops regional CROWN award
by PGO (2009-11-20)

Batanes, the smallest province in the country copped this year's CROWN (Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition) award for having been an outstanding winner in the regional level for three consecutive years (2006-2008) and which made Batanes automatically a national awardee.

Priscilla V. Nanud, provincial agriculturist and the provincial nutrition action officer (PNAO) said the award is manifestation of the strong determination of the local government to have a healthy community. The award was conferred to Batanes for maintaining the objective of having a zero malnutrition rate in the province for the past three years.

"There is no more prevalence of malnutrition in the province. We are very grateful for having a very supportive Provincial Nutrition Council especially the chairman, Governor Telesforo Castillejos," Nanud said.

In 2008, Batanes has a total population of 16,583 with Basco having the most number of residents (7,458) while Ivana is the least populated (1,213).

With its aim to eradicate malnutrition in the province, the Batanes provincial Nutrition Committee has been working zealously towards the achievement of its objective. As of 2008, the province has no record of pre-school children with weight below normal very low. Below normal low cases has declined from 4.16% in 2006 to 3.49%. School children with weights below normal also decreased from 10.32% in 2007 to 9.8% in 2008.

Although malnutrition in the province is manageable, the provincial government pursued the implementation of social services and interventions to address the malnutrition problem.

To attain resource sustainability and food sufficiency in the province, the provincial government through the office of the provincial agriculturist prioritized programs and projects focused on year-round production of high-value crops. The provincial government also managed and maintained 10 techno-demo farms as one of the most effective way of motivating farmers to continuously engage in vegetable production, 1,280 farmers benefited from these demo-farms through the provision of vegetable seedlings, assorted fresh and organic vegetables, basic technologies and technical assistance to them.

Realizing the vital role of sustainable food production for a healthy and peaceful community, the provincial government passed an executive order encouraging all permanent employees of the provincial government to establish their individual food production projects in nearby farm areas and avail a monthly two-day privilege to implement such project. The aim of the project is to provide a year-round supply of assorted vegetables primarily for family consumption and a viable source of additional income.

Nanud personally received the trophy and 100,000 pesos cash prize from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the National Nutrition and Gawad Pagkain Awarding Ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on October 15.

"While we are happy with such award, this also comes as a big challenge to us - maintaining what we have achieved or even surpassing it," Nanud said.

The cash prize will be used to fund nutrition programs and projects in consonance with the objectives of the provincial nutrition council to maintain a healthy and malnourished-free community.

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