CABARROGUIS, Quirino, May 9 (PIA)—The four-member Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) has just concluded its three-day evaluation in the six Municipal Nutrition Committees and the Provincial Nutrition Committee to assess their accomplishments to curb malnutrition in the province in preparation for the national evaluation on May 27-30, 2013.

“We are here not only to assess your accomplishments but to provide technical inputs to the nutrition committees so that they can further enhance their nutrition programs and projects for the whole populace of Quirino,” said RhodoraMaestre, NNC regional director.

Maestre likewise challenged the municipality of Diffun, the province’s Green Banner Awardee, saying that 40 per cent of the total score of the province will come from the town’s performance being the most outstanding municipality in the implementation of nutrition programs and projects. The other 60 per cent will come from the accomplishments of the province.

On the other hand, Ma.GisellaLonzaga of NNC said Quirino is a contender to the First Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (Crown) maintenance award being a Green Banner awardee for three consecutive years.

From 2009 to 2011, Quirino was able to sustain its nutrition programs and projects which resulted to the continuous reduction of the number of malnourished children in the province.

In 2010, there were a total of 40 severely underweight and 722 underweight pre-school children. The number of cases were trimmed down to 38 SW and 510 UW pre-schoolers in 2012.

Likewise, the number of wasted and severely wasted school children was reduced from 1,534 in 2010 to 1,352 in 2012.

Laura A. Matammu, provincial social welfare and development officer and assistant provincial nutrition action officer attributed the improved nutritional status of the Quirinians especially the children to the efforts of the provincial government in bringing basic and social services right at the doorstep of the residents.

“The convergence projects that we implemented along with various national government agencies and non-government organizations have contributed much to the improvement of health and nutrition needs of the people,” Matammu stressed.

The RNET is composed of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as chairman; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as co-chairman and National Nutrition Council as member.