24 March 2014, Kidapawan City – The province of North Cotabato conducted its 1st Quarter Nutrition Cluster, PNC and NAOs Joint Meeting held at IPHO conference room, Amas, Kidapawan City. This was attended by the Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, and members of the Provincial Nutrition Committee.

The nutrition cluster members, ACF and Save the Children were also present and reported their accomplishment report on their project – scaling up nutrition program intervention to local government units for a resilient and sustainable local level development program for children and the rehabilitation of identified SAM and MAM preschool children in selected municipalities of the province respectively.

After the presentation of the NGOs, Mr. Ely Nebrija, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, presented the nutrition situation of the province. Although, the malnutrition prevalence rate of the province is decreasing, Mr. Nebrija reminded the NAOs to still strengthen the programs and projects especially on promoting good nutrition practices. He also reminded the NAOs to review the criteria in selecting Barangay Nutrition Scholars as there are BNSs who were retrenched and replaced by new administration after the Barangay Elections last year.

Meanwhile, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council XII Ms. Arceli M. Latonio, was also invited to give technical assistance and presented some updates on the current regional nutrition situation, the new policy and program developments on nutrition, the upcoming regional OBNS Evaluation and MELLPI, and other nutrition-related activities set for this year. She also reminded the NAOs to update their nutrition action plan and prioritize PPAN actions and activities.

After the meeting, NNC XII distributed breastfeeding and NGF posters, and other IEC collateral materials to all the NAOs.