COTABATO CITY — To help the government address the “hunger and malnutrition” in the Bangsamoro region, several members of the Parliament filed a bill that will establish the Bangsamoro Nutrition Council. 

“Food security is vital in realizing and sustaining a healthy nutritional wellbeing,” authors of the bill said in an explanatory note.

MP Amilbahar Mawallil principally authored the bill with MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Abraham Burahan, and Sittie Shahara Mastura as co-authors. 

Through the Nutrition Council, the Bangsamoro Government will establish a mechanism for facilitating collaboration and cooperation among multiple agencies, sectors, and stakeholders in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in the region.

Under the proposed measure, the Council, which will be attached to the Ministry of Health, will serve as the primary agency for all nutrition concerns during natural and man-made calamities.

The BARMM has developed its Regional Action Plan for 2020-2022 as a strategic and comprehensive plan to respond to the Bangsamoro region’s nutritional problems.

Authors said that despite the institutionalization from the national to the local level, there are still gaps that must be addressed if BARMM intends to meet not just national but global nutrition standards.

“Our ongoing experience with the coronavirus disease is a stark reminder that as the pandemic rages on, it will only exacerbate existing inequalities in the country and the Bangsamoro region,” authors added.

The Council will be composed of 14 members representing various ministries and sectors, including non-Moro indigenous people, women, youth, and settler communities. 

Its powers and functions include promoting food security and formulating regional food and health policies in the region.

The conduct of research to develop strategies ensuring the consistency of local government units (LGUs) plans to the Bangsamoro Plans of Action for Nutrition (BPAN)  was also among the duties of the Board.  

Once the Council becomes operational, the governing Board, assigned nutrition officers, secretariat, and committees shall perform with the support from the MOH  and key stakeholders, such as the academic institutions and province representatives. (Publication and Media Relations Division)