TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC), Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) together with the stakeholders on nutrition gathered for the review and updating of the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN) 2017-2022 on 17-18 December 2019 at the Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City.

The mid-term review of the Plan aimed to assess the extent of which nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions and targets based on the results framework were undertaken, reached, and the expected outcomes realized. The review also determined adjustments required for the remaining plan period to facilitate achievement of the plan targets by 2022.

In time with the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022 updating, the group was able to give inputs to RDP Chapter 10 Accelerating Human Capital Development, particularly on Nutrition and Health Subsector. The group likewise agreed to utilize the Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+) to describe the regional nutrition situation as this data is available annually. On the other hand, RPAN outcome targets shall be determined based on provincial and city’s contribution cited on their local action plans.

During the workshop, stakeholders were able to share and laid down strategies that will contribute to the reduction of the malnutrition in the region. Furthermore, the group was also able to give inputs as to the best nutrition program implementation practices in the past three years.

To achieve the RPAN 2022 targets, the group supported to strengthen the following strategies: (1) Focus on the First 1,000 days of life; (2) complementation of nutrition specific and sensitive programs; (3) Intensified mobilization of the local government units; (4) reaching the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and communities of indigenous peoples; and (5) complementation of actions of national, sub national and local government units.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. emphasized that the RPAN 2017-2022 Midterm Updating shall be guided by the national development agenda and the major goals, objectives and strategies on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the Health for All Agenda of the Department of Health.