LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Sept. 6 (PNA) – City Mayor Roderick “Dondon” Alcala issued Executive Order No. RAA- 045-2014 that specifies the revival and revitalizing of the Lucena City Nutrition Council o (LCNC) to address malnutrition in the city.
Through this council, Alcala enjoins all the concerned departments to promote and ensure that proper nutrition is being provided to all the residents to alleviate the increasing malnutrition incidents here.
Alcala cited several studies showing infants, children and breastfeeding mothers as vulnerable victims of malnutrition and adverse effects include stunted physical and mental development of a child, decrease in their immune resistance to diseases and can get sick easily – often times with diseases resulting to death.
Hence, the creation of LCNC composed of the City Health Office as the lead office. Its members include Mayor Alcala as Chairman; City Health Officer Dra. Caridad Diamante as Vice-Chairman; Councilors Benito Brizuela and Rhaetia Marie Abcede-Llaga being the chairman and co-chairman, respectively, at the city council; DILG City Director Marcial Juangco;
Dr. Juvy Paz Purino as representative of the Department of Health; Association of Barangay Captains President Hermilando Alcala Jr.; City School Division Supt. Dr. Aniano Ogayon; City Social Welfare & Development Officer Lourdes Maralit; City Agriculturist Melinda Letargo; City Budget Officer Rosalinda Castillo; Mr. Edwin Hernandez from DOLE; Ves McGowan, OIC- PIO; Mr. Nelson Balina from NFA; Lucena City Parents-Teachers Association; City Nutrition Officer Azenith Ramos;
City Nutrition Coordinator Jessa Theanne Balagtas; Association of Barangay Nutrition Scholars Ambrosia Lagar; Agricultural Technologist; Social Welfare officers Rosario Ebron and Emelinda Quinsanos; DEPED-EPS1 TLE/HE Ms. Janelet Fuentes; DepEd School Nurse Nancy Cupo and the 10 accredited Non-Government Organizations and Private Sector in Lucena.
The Council’s tasks include formulation of local food and nutrition policies, strategies, programs and projects for nutrition improvement.
Mayor Alcala is optimistic that with the help of the LCNC, proper nutrition will be promoted and malnutrition shall soon be a ‘thing in the past.’ (PNA)