PGMA witnesses MOA signing on nutrition between NNC & DOH-ARMM
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LUMBATAN, Lanao del Sur--- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo this morning witnessed the signing of the
memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Department of Health
(DOH) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) at the Lanao Agricultural College in Barangay
Poblacion.
The President said the agreement ensures that government’s proper nutrition program (PNG) aimed at
alleviating malnutrition and hunger, will be sustainably carried out to the smallest political level, the barangays.
The President was welcomed at the landing site, a few minutes walk to the multi-purpose gymnasium of this
school, by Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Lumbatan Municipal Mayor Mamintal Razuman,
Superintendent of Lanao Agricultural College Arimao Asum, and Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral.
She said her other reason for going around the country is to monitor prices of basic commodities, which
aggravates rural poverty and prevents people from getting access to basic nutrition and other prime
commodities. She said she brought with her newly-appointed Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli Lapus to help
her monitor market prices of basic commodities in ARMM and Western Mindanao.
Created by Presidential Decree No. 491 and reaffirmed by Executive Order No. 234, NNC is government’s policy-
making and coordinating body on nutrition.
Another EO of April 2007 directed the NNC to oversee the implementation of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation
Program (AHMP) and to promote AHMP’s good nutrition component in selected priority provinces of the country
such as Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi Tawi of ARMM.
To institutionalize the fight against hunger and malnutrition, ARMM will establish an office similar to the NNC that
will formulate relevant nutrition policies, guidelines and other instruments and will ensure that provincial, city,
municipal and barangay nutrition programs are in consonance with the national nutrition policy and program
framework.
The MOA was signed by NNC Executive Director Assistant Secretary Maria Bernardita Flores and Dr. Kadil Jojo
M. Sinolinding Jr. for DOH-ARMM
The NNC will transfer to DOH-ARMM P28.251 million to cover requirements for the PGN component of AHMP
and operational expenses. The amount will be released to DOH-ARMM in tranches, subject to the submission
of fund utilization report verified by the Commission on Audit (COA) resident auditor.
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PGMA lauds price monitoring system of DTI Region IX
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RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Zamboanga del Sur – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo lauded today Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) Region IX for its price monitoring system that has been effective in keeping the regional
prices of basic goods and commodities stable.
The President visited the Ramon Magsaysay Public Market here this afternoon to check if the prices of basic
food items such as canned goods, coffee, sugar, and milk are priced within the range specified by law.
Upon her arrival here, the President, who was accompanied by DTI Secretary Jesli Lapus and local officials led
by Zamboanga del Sur governor Aurora Cerilles, was briefed by DTI IX Regional Director Nashrulla Manzur on
the various programs the DTI is implementing to ensure fair and stable prices.
First, Manzur showed the President the market’s Timbangan ng Bayan, which the buying public can use to
ensure that the weight of the commodity they are buying is correct.
Manzur then toured the President through the wet and dry sections of the market where she asked sellers and
buyers if the prevailing prices of the goods they buy and sell are fair.
Manzur showed the President a white board displayed in front of the market that contained the current prices of
basic goods. It also showed the prices of these basic goods last week and last month to serve as the buyer’s
comparative gauge to see if a particular item’s price rose.
For example, a can of evaporated milk cost P32.68 since last month while a 25-gram pack of coffee and a can of
sardines retained its month-old prices of P14.87 and P11.30, respectively.
The President expressed amazement at the price of tulingan, a fish staple in many Filipino homes, which cost
P100 a kilo here while it costs P120 a kilo in Manila.
“All the prices have dropped!” the President said.
In an interview, Manzur said the standing directive of the President was “just to keep on monitoring prices” to
ensure that consumers are getting their money’s worth.
He added the President was “very much pleased” with their price monitoring system, revealing the effectiveness
of their system was made possible with the help of the local government.
“We monitor regularly and we coordinate with the local government units because they are the ones who are on
the ground to help us out in ensuring that prices will not go up and to help prevent abuses,” Manzur said.
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AMBASSADOR GAA SPEAKS BEFORE ROTARY CLUB OF WASHINGTON, DC
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Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa addressed the Rotary Club of Washington, DC on the
topic, Integrating Women in Public Life and Economic Progress. The Rotary Club of Washington, DC,
composed of leaders in business and government including Presidential appointees, invited the Ambassador
to their weekly luncheon in observance of Women’s Month. Mr. James W. Arnold, President of the Rotary Club of
Washington, DC presented a certificate to the Ambassador committing to plant a cherry tree in the Ambassador’
s honor. END.
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