In photo: Present during the virtual launch of BHIINDAP, a multisectoral initiative that seeks to address malnourishment, were: (First row from left) Hon. Jerry P. Treñas, Iloilo City Mayor; FVP Petronilo R. Madrid, GBP Panay Site Head; Dr. Anthony T. Golez, IPNAP Executive Director; (2nd row from left) Brgy. Officials of Baldoza, Hinactacan and Ingore; and (3rd row) GBP Panay Community Relations team (Courtesy of GBP)
By Alithea de Jesus
Even before the pandemic, malnutrition and hunger have been serious social issues that need attention. While the health and feeding centers of the government support the local community, the ongoing COVID19 pandemic makes things worst to make things easier for the affected sector.
Aware of the challenges of malnutrition and to abate this, Global Business Power Corporation (GBP), through its subsidiary Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC), has partnered with the Infant and Pediatric Nutrition Association of the Philippines (IPNAP) and Barangays Baldoza, Hinactacan and Ingore in La Paz, Iloilo City to launch a multisectoral initiative that seeks to address malnourishment.
Dubbed as ‘Baldoza, Hinactacan, Ingore Integrated Nutrition Development Acceleration Program’ or BHIINDAP, GBP’s CSR program was virtually launched last month with the primary goal of reducing cases of malnourished children from ages 0-59 months by 50% annually over the next 3 years in identified barangays.
“The development of a child’s brain in the early years has a lasting impact on his or her ability to learn. To ensure that a child achieves optimal growth, good nutrition is essential however, this is not achieved due to several factors such as poverty. Thus, we at GBP, together with our partner, IPNAP, would like to collectively contribute in battling malnutrition at the community level,” said Petronilo R. Madrid, FVP for GBP Panay Operations.
In a survey released by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in 2018, it was revealed that the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting children in the pre-school age were higher in Iloilo by 0.5 to 2% compared to national results. In an effort to help resolve this situation, GBP piloted a community program in its surrounding communities with high cases of malnutrition. Based on a study by the Iloilo City Nutrition Office, at least 91 children from barangays Baldoza, Hinactacan and Ingore, with an estimated average prevalence of 7.27%, are identified as malnourished.
The BHIINDAP, in alignment with the Barangay Nutrition Action Plan (BNAP), shall provide supplemental feeding with indigenous food products, enhance nutrition and health knowledge of parents and guardians, as well as develop a support system to address factors affecting the children’s wellbeing at a community level. Furthermore, BHIINDAP shall use a Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, promoting transparency, participation, local empowerment, demand-responsiveness, greater downward accountability, and enhanced local capacity. In turn, the partner barangays are honed to lead the initiative through the creation of a unified program management council (PMC) that will tackle both policy and operational issues for its implementation.
Dr. Anthony T. Golez, Executive Director of IPNAP, a premier association created by milk industry leaders committed to address children’s malnutrition in the country, expressed the organization’s support in implementing the identified projects under the BHIINDAP. “We are committed to support the endeavors of BHIINDAP particularly the supplemental feeding and clean water access projects, the development of localized learning workbooks that educate parents, teachers and children about nutrition and health, and enable linkages to national government agencies like the DOST-FNRI”, said Dr. Golez.
Keynote Speaker Hon. Jerry P. Treñas, Mayor of the City of Iloilo, conveyed his appreciation and support for the program during its virtual launch. “BHIINDAP is a stellar initiative that will truly create a healthier community. As Mayor, having healthy people is on top of my priority that is why I would like to express my utmost gratitude to GBP for being an active and effective partner of the LGU in creating a better and healthier Iloilo City”. Meanwhile, the Barangay Captains of Baldoza, Hinactacan and Ingore thanked GBP for the initiative and committed to properly implement the program for the benefit of the children.
As a member of the One Meralco Group, GBP unites in powering the good life of the Filipino by launching initiatives that directly impact the wellbeing and development of the community.GBP, with a total gross capacity of 1,091 MW, has diversified power generation facilities that are capable of supplying base, intermediate, peak load, and ancillary support.
