QUEZON PROVINCE (11 April 2024) — As the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) rolls out in Quezon Province, IIRR met with the local governments of Tagkawayan and Guinayangan to explore ways to work together on improving food security and nutrition in their communities.
In Tagkawayan, Mayor Luis Oscar T. Eleazar and key officials from the health, nutrition, and social welfare offices shared their ongoing efforts to empower women through community gardening. They also raised concerns over low breastfeeding rates, with only 9% of households practicing exclusive breastfeeding. The mayor expressed strong interest in officially partnering with IIRR on initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates and other related projects, such as the Gulayan sa Barangay Movement and upcoming capacity-building activities under PMNP.
Meanwhile, in Guinayangan, Mayor Maria Marieden M. Isaac and the local team are looking to integrate IIRR’s existing programs, like the Integrated Nutrition Program for Preschoolers, into their revised Local Nutrition Action Plan (LNAP). The focus is on enhancing the skills of Child Development Workers in gardening, nutrition education, and WASH, while using the Crop Museum as both a seed production site and hands-on learning space. The LGU also aims to promote home and container gardening among 4Ps households, sourcing planting materials from the museum. They look forward to expanding their collaboration with IIRR through an amendment to their existing MOU.
Both LGUs are currently revising their implementation plans under the LNAP. Under PMNP, Quezon Province will see expanded implementation in Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, and Buenavista, which are areas where IIRR has already laid foundations for deeper community engagement.
Recent News
