The National Nutrition Council SOCCSKSARGEN Region successfully conducted the two-day Regional Virtual Dialogue with Punong Barangays: Enabling Nutrition Devolution via Zoom Videoconference and Facebook Live last November 24-25, 2021. A total of 263 in attendance were composed of Barangay Captains, members of the Barangay Nutrition Committee, Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars. The event also goes Facebook Live with 2.7K reach. The said activity served as a continuation of the previously conducted Nutrition Devolution Dialogue Series.

The virtual regional dialogue with punong barangays was opened by the Regional Director of DILG XII and Regional Nutrition Committee Vice-Chair, Josephine C. Leysa, CESO III. Further, the event was also graced by an inspirational message from the Assistant Secretary and Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang.

During the Usapang PPAN sa Barangay: Programang Pangnutrisyon, Gawing Mahusay which was discussed by the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC XII, Ms. Retsebeth M. Laquihon, RND, MPD, MDM, the three programs of PPAN 2017-2022 was emphasized, as well as the importance of the First 1000 days and its six critical interventions, also the roles and functions of the Barangay Captains, members of the BNC and youth on nutrition, and how to make nutrition better in the barangay using the opportunity from the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling. Furthermore, DBM XII representative, Ms. Roxanne Mae D. Mapa, Budget and Development Specialist II, discussed Bigger Budgets, More Investments for Nutrition: Devolution of Nutrition Services in Light of the Mandanas Ruling in 2022 which focused on the implications of the SC ruling on Mandanas-Garcia petitions at the barangay level and how barangays can budget nutrition interventions.

Invited panelists in the discussion of Navigating Nutrition Programs in the Barangay were Hon. Arlene Portillo and Hon. Severino A. Borja, Brgy. Captains of Brgy. Malibatuan, Arakan, Cotabato and Brgy. Banate, Malungon, Sarangani respectively and BNS Virginette A. Jickain of Brgy. Crossing Palkan, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Additionally, statements of nutrition support were given by the Sarangani Governor and Provincial Nutrition Committee, Municipal Councilor of LGU Malungon, SK Regional Association President, NAOPA SOCCSKSARGEN President, and Regional BNS Federation Inc. President.

Regional Director of DOH-CHD XII and Regional Nutrition Committee Chairperson, Dr. Aristides C. Tan also gave his support to the virtual regional dialogue with punong barangays. In his closing message, Director Tan highlighted the PPAN 2017-2022 significance and has to be cascaded down to the different barangays to ensure that we will be successful in curving out malnutrition and improving the nutritional status in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

The event in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XII, and Department of Health (DOH) XII aims to: (1) increase the recognition of PPAN as a reference for the preparation of BNAPs, (2) provide a platform to share and take stock of good practices along management and scaling up of nutrition programs in high-performing barangays, (3) and garner support to increase investments/scale-up nutrition services from the barangays in all the local government units in Region XII. (NOILaurito/NOIIFlores/RNPCLaquihon)