28 February 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – The Regional Nutrition Committee-Technical Working Group (RTWG) and Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) convened virtually last 24 February 2022 during its first meeting of the year, where 15 member agencies were represented. Ms. Telesfora G. Madelo of the Department of Health Center for Health Development-Northern Mindanao (DOH CHD-NM) presided over the meeting in behalf of National Nutrition Council Region X Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez.

The first among the several agenda tackled was the 2021 Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus results, presented by Nutrition Officer II Arlie Joy O. Damiles. In her presentation, there has been a decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition in all indicators at the regional level. She also presented the trends of malnutrition prevalence of the provinces and cities, as well as the ranking of municipalities on the highest percentage of malnutrition per indicator.

NO II Damiles also shared the partial results of the 2021 Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition review of accomplishments. In particular, she highlighted the programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) with accomplishments under 100%, as well as the PPAs with no updates from the concerned agencies. The said agencies responded that they will provide data and validate further the initial inputs supplied.

NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle presented brief updates on the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) implementation for CY 2022. Per report, monitoring and evaluation activities will commence on June or upon availability of updated MELLPI Pro tools.

The initiative on Local Government Unit (LGU) Nutrition Shepherding was also discussed by NO III Talle where she highlighted the importance of mobilizing LGU and RNC mentors for improved nutrition program management of low-performing LGUs. She mentioned that the Regional Shepherding Team will pour out its efforts in helping Lanao del Norte and Iligan City as target shepherding areas.

Draft RNC policies were also presented to the body for comments and suggestions, for endorsement and approval by the RNC. The draft policies were: 1) Adopting the Nutrition Shepherding Initiative Guidelines, 2) Lanao del Norte and Iligan City as target LGUs for Nutrition Shepherding Initiative; and 3) Recognizing Kadingilan, Bukidnon as one of the Learning Hub for Enhanced and Revitalized Nutrition Program (LHEARN) Sites. These were presented by NO III Talle and NO I Liezel Joy D. Reyes. The body agreed to endorse the three draft resolutions for the RNC’s approval.

NO II Damiles proceeded with the updating of databases, specifically on the directories for RNC directors and heads of offices, as well as their corresponding RTWG representatives.

Towards the end of the meeting, Ms. Madelo gave announcements on other nutrition program updates from the DOH CHD-NM. She also thanked the members for their active participation in the meeting.

NNC X remains true to its functions as Secretariat of the RTWG of coordinating nutrition efforts as One Region in Nutrition. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)