The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) is beefing up its commitment to inclusive nutrition, ensuring that the nation’s 115 million citizens, particularly the marginalized sector, have access to safe and adequate nourishment.
This commitment, underscored by the philosophy that ‘no family should be left behind,’ was a key theme at the recent ‘Optimizing Nutrition Across Life Stages’ conference held at the Philippine Women’s University in Manila.
Vannizsa Ramas of DOST-FNRI articulated the government’s unwavering stance, emphasizing that every Filipino must be able to access safe, acceptable, and nutritionally adequate food, especially in times of crisis. With the Philippines frequently battered by natural disasters, the government is intensifying its focus on making inclusive nutrition a centerpiece of disaster relief operations.
Evaluate relief goods
This focus is echoed by experts who stressed the need to look beyond mere distribution. Social worker Evelyn Valencia challenged the audience to critically evaluate relief goods:
Are these foods nutritionally balanced?
Are they safe?
Will they aid in the recovery of survivors?
Are they acceptable in terms of taste and cultural preference?
Do they reach the most vulnerable groups?
Valencia highlighted that groups with specific nutritional needs, such as children, pregnant individuals, the elderly, and the handicapped, are a prime concern, as they require tailored support. This sentiment drives the imperative to incorporate a nutritional lens into every aspect of disaster aid.
DOST-FNRI’s commitment to inclusivity is being operationalized through partnerships with various government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders. Ramas stressed the urgency of integrating health and nutrition as the core of all disaster preparation efforts.
Dr. Leonora Panlasagui, Dean Emeritus of the College of Nutrition at Philippine Women’s University, further emphasized that nutrition inclusivity is paramount for those ‘at the bottom of the pyramid,’ including residents in rural areas. She called for a unified, collaborative effort among all sectors.
Nutritional inadequacy
Consumer advocate Elsa Gaspar brought attention to the frequent nutritional inadequacy of food pantry items, noting common deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and often dangerously high sodium content. She and others have observed that relief efforts sometimes suffer from poor management of donations, such as a ‘truck of chocolates’ or ‘a truck of cheese,’ which, while well-intentioned, fail the test of nutritional balance. This underscores a critical need for nutritional screening and management of donations to ensure true inclusivity and efficacy.
The panelists agreed that there should be a call to action where health and nutrition must be the foundation of disaster resilience. The collaborative spirit of the conference, which brought together social workers, academic institutions, consumer advocates, and government bodies, signals a concerted push to move beyond reactive aid.
The shared goal is to ensure that, through collaboration, innovation, and a firm commitment to the principles of social work, all Filipinos-especially the most vulnerable-receive the proper nutritional resources necessary not only for survival but for full recovery and well-being. This requires ongoing work to ensure people are ready and not left behind when calamities strike.