Another public-private partnership promoting the latest per-meal food guide, the Pinggang Pinoy®, was launched on June 18, 2018 at Patio Queen Sofia, Maysan, Valenzuela City. The project “MAG- PINGGANG PINOY® TAYO” is a collaborative project of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST- FNRI), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd) and Ajinomoto Philippines, Corporation (APC). Dr. Mario V. Capanzana (Director, DOST-FNRI), Dr. Corazon I. Flores (OIC, Regional Director, DOH-NCR), Dr. Wilfredo E. Cabral (OIC, Regional Director, DepEd-NCR), Mr. Ichiro Sakakura (President, APC), and former DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell Ubial, Chairperson of the Technical Working Group were present in the ceremonial contract signing which followed the project orientation of Barangay Health Workers (BHW), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), and other community partners.
“MAG- PINGGANG PINOY® TAYO” program is initiated by the APC through its Ajinomoto Creating Shared Value (ASV), recognizing the Pinggang Pinoy® as a helpful tool in establishing healthy eating habits and enhancing the overall health of Filipinos. Likewise, it is APC’s commitment to help the country solve the perennial problem on Double Burden of Malnutrition (DBM) as revealed in the latest 2015 National Nutrition Survey wherein 3 out of 10 (31.1%) Filipino adults were overweight and obese, while 2 out of 10 (21.5%) and 1 out of 3 (33.4%) children under-five years old were underweight and stunted, respectively. The project aims to empower the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle by educating the key influencers in the community, including Barangay Health Workes (BHW), Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS), and mothers.
The preparation and implementation of the program’s activities will be led by Redscope Communications, Inc. (Redscope), a social communications company, with the guidance of a Technical Working Group composed of health advocates from DOH, DepEd, as well as health and nutrition experts from both public and private institutions.
It will be piloted in four (4) selected local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila. These are Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Quezon City targeting to educate 120 BHW/BNS and 2,500 mothers through series of nutrition education and training. The training will highlight the importance of Pinggang Pinoy® and the positive impact it can bring when used as guide especially in day-to-day preparation of family meals. Furthermore, the project will also provide livelihood opportunities to selected households in said areas.
