Baguio City - The Regional Nutrition Committee-Cordillera Administrative Region (RNC-CAR) through RNC Memorandum No. 1, Series of 2021 appealed to the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region to strengthen their nutrition programs.

This is in line with the expected increase in the Internal Revenue Allotment (now called the National Tax Allocation) of LGUs beginning FY2022 as a result of the Supreme Court Ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia, et al. petitions and the implementation of full devolution of government services and facilities from the national government to the LGUs.

RNC-CAR points out the significance of a strong LGU nutrition program to the effective implementation of localized Philippine Plan of Action for Nutriiton. A strong nutrition program will contribute to the overall reduction of malnutrition as a result of well-nourished, healthy, and strong community members. Additionally, improved interventions to counter maternal and childhood malnutrition in their various forms can lead to better productivity among the population. All of these positively impact the overall development of an LGU and contribute to the Regional Development Plan 2019-2022 Sector Outcome for improved nutrition and health for all towards accelerating human capital development and addressing human inequalities.

Part of the appeal is the request for the creation of positions for the Nutrition Office to ensure the presence of personnel that would manage the various nutrition specific and nutrition-related or sensitive programs. Possible options that include proposed functions, organization and staffing, and qualification standards for the proposed positions were sent out to the LGUs for their reference and consideration.

Discussion with the LGUs on the said appeal was held on June 29, 2021 through the Virtual Budget Conference to strengthen LGU Nutrition Program.

SIMON B. COPEZ & BELLA M. BASALONG