CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) has called on government agencies, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to collaborate in addressing food insecurity in Northern Mindanao

During a regional forum held Oct. 7 in Cagayan de Oro City, DOST-FNRI presented findings from the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) to support local planning and policy development.

“These results serve as a strong foundation for crafting nutrition action plans that directly address the needs of our communities,” said DOST Camiguin Provincial Director Joanne Katherine R. Banaag, speaking on behalf of DOST Regional Director Romela N. Ratilla.

The NNS revealed that about two in every five households, or 39.2%, in Northern Mindanao experience moderate to severe food insecurity. The condition is more common among low-income households with more than five members and those located in rural areas.

Although most households rely on rice, vegetables, and fish, the survey showed that many residents across age groups fall short of the recommended energy and nutrient intake.

DOST-FNRI Science Research Specialist Marvin C. Delos Santos urged agencies and local government units to improve nutrition-related programs and policies.

“Para mapababa natin ang food insecurity dito sa Northern Mindanao, paigtingin natin ang ating mga programa at mga polisiya para kahit papaano ay maibsan natin ang kanilang mga nararanasan sa araw-araw,” Delos Santos said.

Reginaldo T. Guillen, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator and Officer-in-Charge of the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-10, echoed the call for improved data sharing and policy development.

“We need to have all this data disseminated further down the line [to our] partner local government units so that they can be used properly in planning and programming nutrition interventions,” Guillen said.

Guillen also reaffirmed the NNC’s commitment to strengthening local nutrition programs and addressing stunting, wasting, and obesity in affected age groups.

Reggie T. Vivas, nutrition focal person for the Department of Agriculture-10, highlighted the agency’s KADIWA ng Pangulo program and the distribution of vegetable seeds and gardening tools as part of its efforts.

“This is to ensure nga ma-serve nato ang mga communities, especially mga layo nato nga (our far-flung) communities, nga maka-access sila sa (that they can access) fresh ug quality vegetables direct from our farmers,” Vivas said.

The forum included a workshop that allowed stakeholders to identify gaps in implementation, discuss convergence points, and propose policy recommendations.(GDA/KCB/PIA-10)