DOH, NCIP eye nutritional, health services to over 860,000 IPs

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa —Richard A. Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — Over 860,000 indigenous peoples (IPs) are set to receive nutritional services from the Department of Health (DOH) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the DOH said on Wednesday.

The Department of Health and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) are eyeing to provide nutritional and health services to over 860,000 IPS, emphasizing the importance of nutrition in uplifting IP communities.

A statement on Wednesday said that the DOH and NCIP inked an agreement in ensuring the nutrition of the IPs from 13 regions across the country.

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“Through this memorandum of understanding, we can establish more the rights of the indigenous peoples and their communities, especially their rights to be given nutritional services that are appropriate for their culture,” NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia-Sibuglas in a statement.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa noted the IPs should have access to basic necessities such as nutrition.

“IP communities must receive public service that should be based on their culture. We have to ensure their health and access to proper nutrition even if they are living in remote places,” said Herbosa in the same statement.

Further, the DOH said that the two parties will push to proliferate the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) among IP communities.

PMNP is a project by the World Bank that aims to lessen the cases of stunting and malnutrition among the youth. The Department of Social Welfare and Development previously said that the project intends to unify all multi sectoral nutrition plans across the country.

This includes providing natal care to those involved in religious organizations, and women and children in different communities.