The National Nutrition Council (NNC) has been mandated as the country’s highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 491 or the “Nutrition Act of the Philippines” in 1974. For 47 years now, NNC still embodies its five (5) core values, namely: Integrity, Zeal, Excellence, Sensitivity, and Transparency (IZEST). Do you want to know more about NNC? Here are 5 facts about the country’s highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition!
1. The core functions of NNC
As the policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition, the NNC
- Formulate national food and nutrition policies and strategies and serve as the policy, coordinating and advisory body of food, nutrition and health concerns;
- Coordinate planning, monitoring, and evaluation of national nutrition program;
- Coordinate the hunger mitigation and malnutrition prevention program to achieve relevant Millennium Development Goals;
- Strengthen competencies and capabilities of stakeholders through public education, capacity building and skills development;
- Coordinate the release of funds, loans, and grants from government organizations and non-government organizations; and
- Call on any department, bureau, office, agency and other instrumentalities of the government for assistance in the form of personnel, facilities and resources as the need arises
2. NNC Vision Statement
NNC is the authority in ensuring the nutritional well-being of all Filipinos, recognized locally and globally, and led by a team of competent and committed public servants.
3. NNC Mission Statement
To orchestrate efforts of government, private sector, international organizations and other stakeholders at all levels, in addressing hunger and malnutrition of Filipinos through policy and program formulation and coordination, capacity development, promotion of good nutrition, nutrition surveillance, resource generation and mobilization, advocacy, and partnership and alliance building.
4. NNC Executive Director
Currently, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MD, MCH, CESO III, is the 8th Executive Director of NNC. She is an experienced public health leader. For the past 29 years, she has been a facilitator and a trainer for various health programs particularly on Maternal Child Health and Nutrition. In 2016, she was elected as the National President of the Nutrition Action Officers’ of the Philippines Association, Inc. Shortly right after, she was appointed as the Deputy Executive Director of NNC, and in August 2019, she was appointed as the Executive Director. Currently, she is designated as the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Philippine Government Focal Person and most recently, appointed as a member of the Executive Committee of the Global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement representing Asia and Papua New Guinea.
5. NNC Officials
As the highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition, NNC has the most qualified officials to lead the agency in order to make sure that its objectives are being met in the national level down to the barangay level.
The following are NNC Officials in the Central Office, as of June 2021:
Executive Director- Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MD, MCH, CESO III
Deputy Executive Director, Administrative and Finance Service- Atty. Faydah M. Dumarpa
Deputy Executive Director, Technical Assistance- Ms. Rita D. Papey
Chief, Administrative Division- Ms. Chona M. Fernandez
Chief, Financial and Management Division- Ms. Rossana S. Quillope
NO III & OIC, Nutrition Policy and Planning Division- Ms. Marivic S. Samson
NO IV & OIC, Nutrition Surveillance Division- Ms. Ellen Ruth F. Abella
Chief, Nutrition Information and Education Division- Ms. Jovita B. Raval
The following are NNC Officials in the Regional Offices, as of June 2021:
Region 1- OIC Mr. Kendall Pilgrim A. Gatan
Region 2- NPC Ms. Ma. Gisela M. Lonzaga
Region 3- NPC Ms. Ana Maria B. Rosaldo
Region 4-A- NPC Ms. Carina Z. Santiago
Region 4-B- NPC & OIC Ms. Maria Eileen B. Blanco
Region 5- NPC Ms. Arlene R. Reario
Region 6- NPC Mr. Reginaldo T. Guillen
Region 7- NPC Ms. Parolita A. Mission
Region 8- NPC Mr. Catalino Dotollo Jr.
Region 9- NPC Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong
Region 10- NPC Ms. Gladys Mae S. Fernandez
Region 11- NPC Ms. Maria Teresa L. Ungson
Region 12- OIC Ms. Annalita Mae V. Flores
NCR- NPC Ms. Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
CARAGA- OIC Ms. Retsebeth M. Laquihon
BARMM- NPC Dr. Kadil M. Sinolingding Jr.
Meanwhile, the NPC position of CAR is currently vacant because of the recent promotion of Ms. Rita D. Papey to Deputy Executive Director, Technical Division.
On its 47th year, the NNC continues its efforts to improve the nutritional well-being of all Filipinos in the country.
Make way and Happy 47th Anniversary, National Nutrition Council!
References:
1. NNC About Us from https://www.nnc.gov.ph/about-us
2. NNC Officials from https://www.nnc.gov.ph/index.php/2-uncategorised/3524-nnc-offi.html