Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles led Duterte administration officials in extending greetings to the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) on its 74th founding anniversary during a virtual ceremony with Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato De La Peña on July 1.
Nograles, who heads the government’s Task Force on Zero Hunger, noted in his keynote speech that the agency was a “firm and steadfast partner” in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
“Seventy-four years of service to the Filipino people, through war, calamities, and a pandemic, did not stop the DOST-FNRI from pursuing its mandate of achieving a healthy and hunger-free society. The need to address malnutrition and access to quality food has become even more important during these challenging times of COVID-19,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 45% of child deaths involving those below five years old are nutrition-related. Based on figures from the 2020 Global Hunger Index, the Philippines ranked 69th out of 107 countries listed, with a 19.0 or “medium” hunger rating.
“It has been shown by scientific studies that childhood undernutrition can lead to irreversible long-term effects such as impaired physical growth and cognitive development. We are focusing our energies and resources to prevent this from happening,” Nograles said.
The DOST-FNRI conducted a rapid nutrition assessment survey last year, which will be used by the government to study the effects of the ongoing pandemic on the food and nutrition situation among the population.
Nograles emphasized the steps taken by the agency to link their food technology adopters and partners with farmers and food producers under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPHAP) Program. Coordination has also been made in relation to the KUMAIN Webinars participated in by development partners and stakeholders.
“DOST-FNRI’s contributions and scientific studies are invaluable. For example, virgin coconut oil has been found to be an effective dietary supplement that strengthens the immune system against COVID-19. These are the types of advocacies we need, and which we deliver through Task Force Zero Hunger and DOST-FNRI,” Nograles said. # (PR) – jlo
