BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 27 (PIA) --- Health officials here attributed the high poverty incidence rate in Negros Oriental in 2013 to high poverty incidence.
According to Dr. Edgardo Barredo, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer during a recent meeting of the Provincial Nutrition Council, poverty incidence caused the malnutrition rate in Negros Oriental to soar in 2013, which at 7.4% was the highest in the region.
Cebu came next at 7.28%, Siquijor at 6.03%, and Bohol with 5.32%.
The rates were based on the results of the 2013 Operation Timbang.
Per assessment of the council, other factors that hindered the effective implementation of nutrition programs is the lack of effective management and setting of target programs in integrating the nutrition program into the local development plan of local government units (LGUs).
Dr. Barredo added that the conduct of milk feeding is not really focused on the severely underweight children because mothers and other kids also share in the rationing of milk for the malnourished ones.
In response to the malnutrition problem, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here will launch in July this year a food processing plant of healthy rice-mongo in Bayawan City, said DOST provincial head Engr. Gilbert Arbon.
The processing equipment will be funded by DOST in a form of loan to be paid by the LGUs in three years' time.
Another one will also be established in Canlaon City.
With this, Dr. Barredo said that the manufacturing of healthy rice-mongo will help address the malnutrition problem if Canlaon and Bayawan cities can supply the whole province with the nutritious food.
A much sought option to solve the malnutrition problem is to present to the mayors the actual status of malnourished children in their area and to prioritize and effectively implement the nutrition programs in their respective cities and municipalities, said Barredo. (rmn/lpp/PIA7-Negros Oriental)