Surigao City– Local Government Operations Officer (LGOO) VI, Ms. Welivie C. Diola of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga discussed the role of the Local Nutrition Committee and the Executive Order 138 on Nutrition Devolution during its first day 14 September 2022 of the Planning Workshop on Integrating Nutrition in the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDFD), Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Local Development Investment Program (LDIP) for the province of Dinagat Islands and its seven municipalities held at Almont Beach Resort, Surigao City.

LGOO Diola discussed the LNC composition, its duties and functions. The Local Nutrition Committee (LNC) comprises the Chairperson, (Governor, Mayor, Barangay Captain) at each administrative level. Joining the Chairperson Under are the different representatives from various sectors, such as health, agriculture, social welfare and development, development planning and budgeting, and national agencies for nutrition.

In the LGU level, the Local Nutrition Committee is responsible for the nutrition program management. They are responsible for planning, formulating, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and coordinating the Local Nutrition Action Plan (LNAP).

Further, LGOO Diola emphasized the full devolution of nutrition services to Local Government Units (LGU) under the Executive Order (EO) 138 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last June 1, 2021. Devolution means that the LGUs were given the power to perform some functions of the executive branch to local government level, allowing them to provide basic services in their respective localities and get a just share from the national internal revenue taxes (NIRT).

She encouraged the LGU’s to prioritize nutrition programs in devolution plan and should be aligned with the Philippine Development Plan, Ambisyon Natin 2040, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and ensure that those programs are included in their Annual Investment Program to acquire sufficient funding. It is also in section 305 of Republic Act no. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 that local budget plans shall harmonize with national development plans, goals, and strategies.

Additionally, LGOO Diola mentioned that full devolution of nutrition services would not be possible without the functions of the Local Nutrition Committee. She encouraged the members of the LNC to be functional and strengthen their local nutrition offices to effectively implement the nutrition program and prioritize the vulnerable groups as much as possible. RRBacalso/ NASLabordo