TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -  Program implementation review on Medium-Term Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (MTPPAN) was held at the Mindanao Training Center (MTC), Tubod Lanao del Norte last August 17 to properly address the problem of malnutrition in the province. The National Nutrition Council Region 10, gathered the provincial stakeholders, Local Government Units (LGUs) and other National Line Agencies (NLAs) to achieve common objectives in strengthening the provide projects that support hunger-mitigation program in Lanao del Norte.

The MTPPAN is the country’s response to malnutrition. It is a vital contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The MTPPAN is an integral component of the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan 2004-2010.

Its overall goal is to improve the quality of life by transforming the population into a well-nourished, healthy, mentally able, socially active, and economically productive human resource capable of contributing to and enjoying the fruits of the nation’s development.

Highlighting the said program was the dynamic group sharing among the participants to be able to come up with highly technical opinions and feedbacks about what programs and projects were implemented by LGUs based on the trends in nutritional status in the last six years and which of the interventions significantly contributed to the achievement of Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) objectives or priorities for action.

The forum also identified interventions which were introduced to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the projects to implement PPAN, which of the priority actions of the updated MTPPAN 2008-2010 were adopted in the local Nutrition Action Plan and what problems were encountered in the implementation of the various programs in Lanao del Norte.

It is through this effort that the PPAN can determine which program will be continued and which among need further assistance from national government agencies, nongovernment organizations, local governments, private sectors, funding institutions and international community to fully mobilize and maximize nutrition programs in the province.

Malnutrition is a social problem which is in dire needs of further attention and seeks solution. The provincial government is entirely committed in the alleviation of malnutrition among children, and pregnant and lactating women in Lanao del Norte and in solidifying previous projects that gradually eradicate the problem. ARMS/PIO-LDN