DOST-FNRI conducts provincial dissemination of the 2021-2022 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) results in Surigao del Norte
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- As part of the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (FNRI) mandate of addressing malnutrition through accurate data, correct information, and innovative technologies, the agency is committed to update the public on the latest nutrition and health status of Filipinos across the different life stages based on the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (or the ENNS).
The Expanded National Nutrition Survey is a comprehensive survey conducted every five years since 1978 and the latest of which is in 2021 up to the current year. In-between the five-year period, the Updating Survey of Nutritional Status of Children and Other Population Groups is conducted every 2 to 3 years to rapidly assess the nutrition situation of Filipinos.
In Surigao del Norte, this population-based household survey was conducted by DOST-FNRI last November 9 - December 16, 2021. To disseminate the survey results, a forum was then organized on December 2, 2022 at Gateway Hotel in Surigao City. During the dissemination forum, Eldridge B. Ferrer, SRS II, Ms. Frances Pola Arias, SRS II, and Ms. Maria Stephanie Parani, SRS II, from the Nutritional Assessment and Monitoring Division (NAMD) of DOST-FNRI presented the results on the total households and individuals covered in the survey, socioeconomic and demographic profile of households and individuals, household food security and current nutritional status of the Surigaonons by life stages: infants and young children, adolescents and women reproductive stage, and adults and elderly.
A call to action by the local chief executives or their representatives followed after the presentations to respond to the results and presented the next steps of the local government units to address the problems identified. Among the attendees were Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member on Health – Board Member Constantino B. Navarro IV, Sangguniang Bayan Member on Health of LGU-Gigaquit – Board Member Angelita D. Larong, Provincial Health Officer / Provincial Nutrition Action Officer – Dr. Maria Isabela Makinano ably represented by the District Nutrition Program Coordinator – Ms. Marissa A. Solloso, members of the Provincial Nutrition Council, partners from the National Nutrition Council, and Nutrition Action Officers from various municipalities.
The result of the ENNS will provide relevant data on the health and nutrition situation at the provincial level that may serve as basis for our partners and stakeholders for crafting nutrition action plans and development programs, and for timely policy decisions at the national and provincial level.
DOST-Surigao del Norte also encouraged the LGUs to adopt technologies and R&D outputs developed by the agency through its Research and Development Institutes (RDIs) such as the FNRI to improve the nutrition situation in their localities and achieve better health outcomes for all the Surigaonons. (DOST-SDN/PIA- Surigao del Norte)