Civil Society Organizations Ally to Combat Malnutrition in PH

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On March 5, 2020, civil society organizations (CSOs) from different regions will convene at Hive Hotel, Quezon City to unify efforts to address malnutrition in the Philippines. This summit is organized by the Scaling-Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance Philippines (SUN-CSA PH) and Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security, Inc. (PhilCAN), together with the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), in partnership with Inquirer.net, InqPOP, Wazzup Pilipinas, and DZUP. This event hopes to create a collaborative environment where CSOs can align their distinct strategies, programs, and resources with the government’s national nutrition priorities.

CSOs in the Philippines have long been active partners of the government in supporting and contributing to national policies and plans. In this upcoming event, the significant role of CSOs in tackling malnutrition will be highlighted and explored. They will be encouraged to strengthen their projects and programs using the ‘nutrition-sensitive’ lens, where any development intervention is tweaked to contribute to nutrition outcomes. Examples include incorporating water, sanitation, and hygiene in school or community programs to prevent malnutrition-related child death, targeting of the nutritionally vulnerable (pregnant and lactating women, elderly, etc.) as beneficiaries of livelihood projects, improving access to nutritious food in feeding programs, etc.

This event stemmed from a national convention coordinated by the same organizers last August 2019. In that event, nutrition experts from the government, academe, local, and international organizations noted the lack of harmonized efforts among CSOs is hampering successful implementation of national plans that address malnutrition. Through the joint efforts of civil society, government, and the private sector, the Philippines can fight and rise above the prevailing challenges set by malnutrition.

This event is part of the 18-month project of IIRR, in partnership with SUN-CSA PH and NNC, titled “Strengthening capacities of civil society and government stakeholders on nutrition-sensitive programs.” Launched in April 2019, this project is funded by the Scaling-Up Nutrition Pooled Fund Grant.

IIRR is an international NGO with demonstrated capacity in integrating nutrition in food security programs/food-based approaches and in engaging various government agencies. It shares its models and lessons through active engagement in the local and international nutrition community. It is a founding member of Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security, Inc. (PhilCAN), convener of Scaling Up Nutrition- Civil Society Alliance Philippines (SUN CSA PH), and has been actively engaged in SUN Civil Society Network (CSN) activities.

The Scaling-Up Nutrition Movement Civil Society Alliance Philippines (SUN-CSA Ph) is one of the global movers of SUN Movement that takes collective action to attain a world free from malnutrition.



See the link here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1038099209908029/
Civil Society Organizations Ally to Combat Malnutrition in PH

Event in brief

March 5, 2020
Hive Hotel, Quezon City
9AM-1PM
(Press conference: 1 PM onwards)

A gathering of civil society organizations to commit in combating malnutrition through nutrition-sensitive programming.


Organizers

Scaling Up Nutrition-Civil Society Alliance Philippines (SUN-CSA Ph)

Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security, Inc. (PhilCAN)

International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR)


Why participate?

The media plays a crucial role in putting a spotlight on the significance of CSOs and government working together to fight malnutrition in the country. Media’s engagement can spark public awareness on nutrition issues and provoke critical discussions that can push for better legislative measures. Malnutrition, despite being a public health concern, has long been downplayed in most platforms.

Huge efforts of CSOs to effectively contribute to national nutrition outcomes remain undocumented. This activity will map-out CSOs and their contributions to nutrition outcomes, although limited to the networks of existing organizations.



What stories can be developed?

Successful CSO initiatives that address malnutrition in the country;

Relevance of fighting malnutrition in the face of pandemics and climate change;

Effects of malnutrition to PH’s economic growth;

Status of the PH national nutrition plan as of 2020;

How seemingly non-nutrition programs/projects address malnutrition


Background:

In 2014, the Philippines signed up to the global Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN), global movement that envisions a world free from malnutrition in all its forms. And three years later (2017) the SUN civil society network in the country- i.e. SUN-Civil Society Alliance Philippines, was established. SUN-CSA Ph envisions that through levelling the understanding of CSOs on the nutrition contributions of their sectoral initiatives, CSOs can better harmonize their initiatives towards common nutrition goals.

Form & Function - Get Practical with Two Pairs of Sunglasses

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Let's admit something that nobody talks about out in the open: getting the right kind of eyeglasses can be a pain in the a**, and quite appropriately, a pain in your eyes. It’s never as simple as just going to a store and buying a pair that you see on the rack or on the display window. You have to have an eye checkup, find the right frame, the right lenses, and have a fitting session.
And we’re just talking about reading glasses at this point.

Eye health experts are now recommending a simple solution to your eyewear woes. Now, more than ever, it’s actually more practical to have multiple pairs of eyeglasses.

Here’s a guide to some of the basic and essential kinds of eyewear and why you need them:

Sunglasses are your first line of defense against harsh rays from the sun. Some people use sunglasses with side shields to prevent the wind from harming their eyes. These are for activities like cycling or driving with your windows down.

Reading glasses are generally for people approaching old age. But if you’re having difficulty reading at a normal distance even at a young age, you should have your eyes checked immediately.

Computer glasses provide protection against “digital eye strain.” If the nature of your work requires you to be in front of a computer screen for 8-10 hours a day, or if you are used to playing long hours of online games, you need lenses that filter out high-energy blue light that can be harmful to your eyes.

Sports glasses include safety glasses and goggles designed for ultimate impact, resistance, and durability. If you are into into extreme sports or action-packed adventures, sports glasses are considered essential.

Fashion eyewear is a statement and personal branding in one. If you are the type of person who loves to impress, you have to have edgy frames that tell people who’s coming from a mile away. Nowadays, fashion eyewear can also serve as your signature look. But of course, you can mix it up according to your taste and fancy.

When it comes to pairs that cater to your every eye need, you don’t have to spend a ridiculous amount. We recommend owning two eyeglasses with either the same function (to prevent overuse), or two pairs with different functions.

Instead of looking at it as a luxury, consider it a form of practicality. Vision Express’ Buy One, Get One deal allows you to take home 2 pairs of eyewear for the price of one. Vision Express also provides the most advanced and the most comprehensive 7-Step Eye Exam administered by our in-store eye experts. This is to ensure that you’re getting the right eyewear custom-built according to your needs. You may choose from a list of international brands for both prescription eyewear and sunglasses.

Next time you need a pair of glasses, be practical by adding another pair and go to
Vision Express for all your optical needs. For more details, check out visionexpress.ph, and follow @VisionExpressPH on Facebook and Instagram.

QC Government Approves New Design for MRT-7 QMC Station; Lifts Cease and Desist Order

Wazzup Pilipinas!


The Quezon City government has lifted the cease and desist order it had earlier issued on the construction of the Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) station today, 28 February 2020.

This comes after the QC government, and its stakeholders - - environmentalists, representatives from the National Housing Unit (NHA), engineers, residents, and others, have approved the new design of the said station which was presented by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and EEI Corporation.

“Ni-lift na po ng city government ang cease and desist order ngayon dahil natuwa naman po kami na binigyang-halaga ang aming concerns," QC Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed.

"Today, we are very happy that we have succeeded not only in preserving our park, but at the same time, we have succeeded in ensuring that our people will have adequate mass transportation," she added.

For Secretary Tugade, this endeavor testifies that when the national government, local government, and private sector collaborate, things will be solved and improved swiftly.

"What this exercise shows is that when the national government, local government, and the private sector work together and cooperate, all with the same obsession— all for transparency and development— things will be solved and improved swiftly."

Meanwhile, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan expressed his utmost appreciation to the swift settlement of the issue.

"One week later, na-resolve na, at ‘yan ay dahil sa magandang pakikipagtulungan ng national, lokal, at pribadong sektor na siya namang palaging sinasabi ni Secretary Arthur Tugade. Kapit-bisig tayo dito sa “Build, Build, Build,” gaya nitong MRT-7," Usec. Batan said.

From the initial design of 11,000 square meters above ground, it has been agreed that the latest and final design will just be a 426-square meter (sqm) above ground structure, with a height of only 6-7 meters.

For her part, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) MRT-7 Project Director Carmela Bergado has assured the local government, and the stakeholders that they "will follow the redesigned and final plan."

Usec. Batan likewise assured that the construction works for the MRT-7 project is on track, with partial operability to commence by 2021, and full revenue service by 2022.

"Currently, almost 55% complete na tayo. Lahat ng mga tren, lahat ng mga bagon, tapos na. Na-test at ready na i-ship from [South] Korea. Makikita natin na yung mga viaducts ay halos patapos na rin at ang stations ay tinatapos na. ‘Yung depot natin na tinatawag ay nasolusyunan na rin, kung kaya’t on track tayo dun sa commitment ng DOTr, ni Secretary [Arthur] Tugade, galing sa ating concessionaire na maging partially operable by 2021," Usec. Batan assured.

Once completed by 2022, the MRT-7 will cut travel time from Manila to Bulacan from 2 hours to just 34 minutes.