A site inspection and training in the new complementary food processing facility (CFPF) in Odiongan, Romblon, has been conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and the Internal Audit Service (IAS) of the Department of Science and Technology last March 28 – April 1, 2022. 

The Malnutrition Reduction Program is a four-year DOST-funded initiative which aims to build and operationalize complementary food production facilities in far-flung priority areas covered in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022. It is one of the government’s strategies to combating the alarmingly high percentage of malnutrition among young children. 

Ms. Marcelina Servañez, Provincial S&T Director of DOST-Romblon, welcomed the team and presented updates on the construction of the production plant. Engr. Charlie Adona, Senior Science Research Specialist from the DOST-FNRI, led the equipment installation and technology transfer training of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in the use of equipment and production of complementary foods. 

During a site visit, Ms. Marie Kris Fernandez, a technology licensee of Nutribun, explained the financial problems they encountered in bread production due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising oil prices. Even with the problems encountered, they wanted to ensure that operation of the business continued. She cited that the business generates employment, allowing locals to earn income.

Mayor Trina Firmalo-Famic of the Odiongan Municipality, in dialogue with DOST-FNRI Director Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, has commended FNRI’s efforts in the fight against malnutrition through projects such as the Malnutrition Reduction Program. Mayor Firmalo-Famic assured that she will continue to support nutrition initiatives from DOST under her term.

For its last year of implementation, the Malnutrition Reduction Program is expected to establish eight (8) new complementary food processing facilities and support rehabilitation of existing operational production facilities nationwide.