NNC X Org Chart as of 31 January 2022The National Nutrition Council (NNC), being the highest policy-making and coordinating body in nutrition per Presidential Decree 491, is composed of the NNC Governing Board and the NNC Secretariat. Part of the Secretariat are the Regional Offices (RO) across all 17 regions in the country.

Functions of the NNC ROs are the following:

  • Execute policies, directives and guidelines set by the NNC Governing Board at the regional level
  • Coordinate the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) at the regional level;
  • Provide technical assistance to program implementers at the regional and local levels
  • Establish and maintain functional linkages with agencies involved in the nutrition program
  • Conduct nutrition trainings, promotion, and advocacy as well as resource mobilization activities in the region
  • Generate nutrition and related data and serve as monitoring and database center for the regional PPAN
  • Facilitate the provision of materials from various sources for the intended recipients of the nutrition program
  • Serve as the Secretariat to the Regional Nutrition Committee and other nutrition structures

The NNC Regional Office (RO) for Northern Mindanao is located in Cagayan de Oro City. The RO X is composed of 11 employees, headed by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, RND, MDM. The RNPC, being the head of the NNC ROs, is a full-time employee whose major function is to coordinate efforts for nutrition improvement in the region.

Every RNPC in the ROs is being assisted by a Nutrition Officer (NO) III, and a team of technical and administrative staff. In Region X, the following technical staff support the RNPC: NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle, NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles, NO I Liezel Joy D. Reyes, and NO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi; on the other hand, since the Provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte are areas under the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)–First 1000 Days (F1K), two Provincial Nutrition Focal Points (PNFP) are part of the team, in the person of Mr. Gwyn Y. Balaba and Ms. Lizelle L. Bete. Administrative support staff include Administrative Aide (AA) VI Generie D. Bantog, AA VI Jeassette M. Cadiao, and AA IV Roderick A. Bonita; Ms. Jenesel Unson helps the office as the utility.

Coordinating structure at the regional level

Regional Directors or regional heads of national government agencies and representatives from the private sector make up the RNC X. The RNC X is comprised of the regional offices of the following agencies: Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Budget and Management, National Food Authority, National Economic and Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, Office of Civil Defense, Commission on Population and Development, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Philippine Information Agency, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, DA-Bureau of Animal Industry, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Public Works and Highways. Other members of the RNC include the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines-Misamis Oriental Chapter, Adventist Medical Center College, Central Mindanao University and Lourdes College, and the three regional associations of nutrition workers: Nutrition Action Officers Association of the Philippines, Inc., District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators Association of the Philippines, Inc., and National Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation, Inc.

Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr., MPH, CESO III and Director IV of DOH CHD-NM is the current Chairperson of the RNC X.

At the local levels, the Provincial/City/Municipal and Barangay Nutrition Committees serve as the coordinating bodies for the local nutrition programs in the region. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)