MARCH 30, 2023 — During the launch of the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) on March 29, 2023, NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized the importance of the initiative for achieving the health and nutrition targets identified under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. Through robust partnerships with stakeholders, the PMNP aims to effectively deliver primary health care and nutrition services to vulnerable children and women.

“The PMNP is a timely and relevant initiative as it seeks to reduce the gaps in our efforts to attain proper health and nutrition for all. In successfully implementing the PMNP, we look forward to building strategies or stronger partnerships with national government agencies, local government units, the private sector, and our development partners,” he said.

Balisacan emphasized that the PMNP’s overall objectives are aligned with the strategies espoused in two chapters of the PDP 2023-2028, Subchapter 2.1 (Boost Health) and Subchapter 3.1 (Ensure Food Security and Proper Nutrition).

“The partner agencies implementing the PMNP commit to supporting access to primary health care, strengthening health and nutrition services systems, and improving water, sanitation, and hygiene access and practices,” the Philippine government’s chief economist said.

Meanwhile, panelist NEDA Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno underscored the significance of investing in primary health care and nutrition in meeting the country’s long-term aspiration or the AmBisyon Natin 2040. He noted that such investments are fundamental to the transformational goals of the Marcos Administration’s socioeconomic agenda.

“We realize that the development or growth of the economy is rather conveniently defined as increases in labor productivity and income. Achieving this would require a lot of investments in foundational interventions such as basic education, primary health care, and child nutrition. It is very hard to imagine how you can achieve high growth without these fundamental investments. Fortunately, the strategies are laid out in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” he said.

The PMNP is co-led by the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, with support from the World Bank. It aims for the adoption of a bold and multisectoral approach to delivering a coordinated package of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions across various local government unit or LGU platforms.

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