7 April 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) X visited the municipalities of Sagay, Mambajao and Mahinog, Camiguin last 28-30 March 2022. The visit was conducted to continually advocate nutrition to the local government units (LGUs) of Northern Mindanao. NNC X Nutrition Officers (NOs) Arlie Joy O. Damiles and Vazamija Therese A. Villasi together with Ms. Telesfora G. Madelo, Nutritionist-Dietitian IV of Department of Health Center for Health Development – Northern Mindanao (DOH CHD-NM) facilitated the activity and Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) Christy Grace A. Taclindo accompanied NNC X.

A total of 18 Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) members from the said LGUs attended the advocacy meeting and monitoring. NO II Damiles, NO I Villasi and ND IV Madelo also paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Joseph G. Uayan of LGU Sagay, Municipal Health Officer Lyndon G. Aclan of LGU Mambajao, and Mayor Rogerio C. Acle of LGU Mahinog.

The NNC X presented the background of NNC, the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022, and the respective municipal nutrition situations for each area. During the meeting, NNC X also emphasized the strong leadership of the local chief executives (LCEs), the dedication of NAOs and nutrition staff, active participation, and commitment of the local nutrition committee (LNC) at all levels are key ingredients for a functional LNC.

Further, ND IV Madelo shared the guide to navigating nutrition programs. ND IV Madelo stressed that strengthening the LNC, leading the First 1000 Days initiative, and investing in other nutrition programs, projects and activities are among the actions that LCEs should take to achieve positive nutrition outcomes.

NNC X recommended formulating the 2022 Municipal Nutrition Action Plan and integrating nutrition to the local development plans including the Annual Investment Program. Likewise, strengthening the nutrition program management by conducting regular MNC meetings and hiring additional staff for nutrition were advocated. This is to ensure that concerns regarding the management of nutrition programs will be given attention.

The increasing trend of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Camiguin Province is one of the threats of malnutrition they are facing. NNC X and ND IV Madelo suggested intensifying nutrition intervention to address the existing form of malnutrition in their locality which includes prioritizing the First 1000 Days program and promoting good nutrition.

Further, PNAO Taclindo acknowledged the need to recapacitate all the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) by conducting a BNS Refresher Course and electronic Operation Timbang (eOPT) Plus Orientation. Aside from that, NO II Damiles stressed the importance of achieving acceptable OPT coverage (80%). She added that NAOs should conduct validation and verification of OPT data before submitting it to the Provincial Nutrition Office.

NNC X also conducted technical assistance (TA) with Camiguin NAOs last 29 March 2022 at Provincial Health Office, Mambajao where a total of seven (7) participants attended the TA. The TA was conducted to discuss updates on the Monitoring & Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI), 2021 OPT Plus Results, BNS Assistance, 2022 NNC X activities, among others.

With the monitoring and technical assistance, NNC X hopes to gain the support and commitment of the LCEs and LNC members to the nutrition program which will improve the nutrition situation not only in Camiguin Province but in the entire Region 10. (NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles)