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The Welfare and Self-Reliance Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paid a courtesy call at the City Nutrition Office of Mabalacat, Pampanga City Hall, to discuss the progress of the Child Nutrition Program on Friday, October 21.
Brother Manoel, Senior Manager of the Church Humanitarian Services, together with Brother Gerry Guerra, Welfare and Self Reliance Manager, and President Cristopher Dulay of Mabalacat Philippines Stake, visited the City Nutrition Office of Mabalacat City. During the visit, Joronny Gladys Lingat, City Nutrition Action Officer, lauded how the Child Nutrition Program initiative of the Church has played a big part in their mission of keeping every child in the city healthy. She expressed, "Nutrition programs are complex and warrant multi-sectoral collaborations to be implemented effectively. Public and private organizations who have reached out to the City Nutrition Office have contributed greatly to our program's success by assisting with manpower and services that enable us to reach all nutritionally vulnerable groups and improve their nutritional status."
Brother Luis Camara Manoel accentuated the importance of partnerships. In his message, he said, "Community collaborations are critical to the success of any humanitarian effort, particularly the Church's nutrition efforts that address many causes of malnutrition in a way that we could not do alone."
Dr. Reizel Timbang, a pediatrician and one of our volunteer doctors, emphasized that nutrition plays a significant role in a child. It is one of the foundations for proper growth and development, boosting a child's immunity and improving brain function. Dr. Timbang selflessly participated in the last Child Nutrition Program and remarked, "It was fulfilling to be part of this event. Screening and identifying the nutritional status of children greatly impacted the community; it enumerated what needs to be focused on concerning their health and nutrition."
The City Nutrition Action Officer also requested a continued partnership with the Church to oversee and provide humanitarian work to the underserved barangays. Mabalacat Philippines Stake President Cristopher Dulay assured that members would continue to support and collaborate with the local government.
The local City Nutrition Office and volunteer doctors have always been supportive and are a few of the most vital essential resources and partners. The partnership between the local government, volunteer medical professionals, and the Church to help the community is a testament that everything's possible if we support and love one another.
Felicia Yu, Mabalacat Stake Nutritionist Specialist and a registered Nutritionist-Dietician, emphasized that the Child Nutrition Program does not end at screening. The Stake Nutrition Council and Welfare and Self Reliance committee will continue to work with the concerned children and their families by monitoring and providing continued professional support to ensure that they meet the nutritional target.
The Child Nutrition Program was launched in Mabalacat Philippines Stake (diocese) in July 2022, where more than 100 children ages 0-5 and pregnant women participated and benefited from this fruitful collaboration of the Church, partners, and the local government unit of Mabalacat City in the province of Pampanga.