Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Marinduque State College (MSC) on October 3, 2017, signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) making the state college the Center of Raw Food Plant-based Preparation and Training in the region.
“We selected MSC since it the only institution of higher education in MIMAROPA that offers courses related to food technology,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated during the MOA signing held at the Marinduque State College in Boac, Marinduque.
“We have agreed to work together in partnership to develop and establish the raw food technology in the region and it will start in the Province of Marinduque,” he added.
Janairo also explained that there is a need to reposition the Nutrition Program of MIMAROPA because it has been identified in the National Health Survey of 2013 and 2015 as the region with the highest number of underweight and stunted children.
Under the MOA, the regional office will provide direction, support and assistance to MSC in the mobilization, organization and coordination for the establishment of the raw food plant-based preparation and Training Center for the region.
A Raw Food Technology Task Force will be created with membership coming from the National Nutrition Council, selected regional nutrition committee members and staff of DOH-MIMAROPA.
“An initial fund of Php 3.2M will be provided for the conduct of activities, procurement of logistics and supplies and contracting out this highly specialized technology to mainstream in the MSC curriculum and the general health care service and delivery system,” Janairo explained.
The MSC in turn will develop and establish a Center of Learning for MIMAROPA region regarding raw food plant-based technologies, skills and competencies.
MSC will also provide trainings for individuals on selected areas to develop their skill on raw food plant-based preparation for general consumption and also for income generation.
“We will involve all schools in the region, both public and private with provision, selling and sustaining the presence and existence of raw food plant-based in their canteens for the consumption of MIMAROPA students,” Janairo emphasized.
“The goal of eating raw foods is to obtain plenty of nutrients which our bodies need. It is better able to prevent and fight diseases, especially chronic diseases and other illness,” Janairo concluded.
