The National Nutrition Council (NNC), as the highest policymaking and coordination body on nutrition, oversees designing and maintaining a system for monitoring and coordinating the functionality of Local Nutrition Committees (LNC). LNC is composed of representatives from different local departments such as health, agriculture, and social welfare and development, development planning office and budget office as well as national government agencies such as DepEd and nongovernment organizations operating in the area. Hence, it is necessary that all LGUs establish a functional local nutrition committee to administer and manage the nutrition program efficiently and effectively.

NNC conducted series of monitoring on LNC functionality to the identified Local Government Units (LGU) in the region. The monitoring activity was administered in Alamada, Aleosan, Kabacan. Libungan and Mlang for the province of Cotabato. For Sarangani Province the said activity was conducted in the municipalities of Glan and Maitum and in municipalities of Isulan and Pres. Quirino in Sultan Kudarat Province. It was attended by the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) members from Social Welfare and Development Office, DepEd, Interior and Local Government Office, Planning and Development Office, Budget Office, Health and Nutrition Office. Furthermore, the LNC monitoring aims to: (1) raise awareness among MNC members about the level of functionality by assessing its performance using the LNC Functionality Checklist and MELLPI Pro; and (2) serve as basis for identifying and prioritizing LGUs that needs technical assistance from the NNC for local nutrition committee reactivation and revitalization in the coming year.

The PPAN 2017-2022 and MELLPI Pro were also presented and discussed during the LNC functionality monitoring for better understanding of the indicators stipulated in the tool. Moreover, recommendations for the next steps were presented, including presenting the LNC Checklist and MELLPI Pro results to the LNC Chair and other members, re-organization of LNC (as needed) with resolution, formulation of comprehensive LNAP with issuance of LNC resolution and establishment of nutrition office or hiring of LGU personnel for nutrition under the office of the Local Chief Executive (LCE) to be included in the Devolution Transition Plan (DTP).

NNC will continue to closely coordinate and provide technical assistance to the LGUs to improve the implementation of Nutrition Program. (NOIIUtlang/NOIIIFlores/RNPCLaquihon)