National Nutrition Council, abbreviated as NNC, is an agency responsible for creating a conducive policy environment for national and local nutrition planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and surveillance using state-of the art technology and approaches.
As mandated by law (PD 491), NNC’s functions include: a) formulation of national food and nutrition policies and strategies and serve as the policy, coordinating and advisory body of food, nutrition and health concerns, b) coordination of planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the national nutrition program, c) coordination of hunger mitigation and malnutrition prevention program to achieve relevant Millennium Development Goals (now Sustainable Development Goals), d) strengthening of competencies and capabilities of stakeholders through public education, capacity building and skills development, e) coordination of the release of funds, loans, and grants from government organizations (GOs) and non- government organizations (NGOs); and f) calling of any department, bureau, office, agency and other instrumentalities of the government for assistance in the form of personnel, facilities and resources as the need arises.
The National Nutrition Council (NNC)-CAR is the secretariat of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC)-CAR. The RNC serves as the structure that oversees the progressive implementation of the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN) to which function covers integrating and harmonizing actions for nutrition improvement at the regional and local levels.
NNC-CAR functions around the four major programs which are: a) policy formulation and coordination, b) nutrition program monitoring and evaluation, c) promotion of good nutrition and d) provision of technical assistance to regional and Local Government Unit (LGU) nutrition stakeholders.
NNC-CAR’s Organizational Structure is composed of Ms. Bella M. Basalong, OIC-Regional Program Coordinator; 3 Technical staff: Ms. Velanie M. Dao-ines, Nutrition Officer II, Ms. Perlyne Q. Martin, Nutrition officer II, and Mr. Simon B. Copez, Nutrition Officer I; 4 Support staff: Ms. Yrgyl M. Sucdad, Administrative Aide VI, Mr. Absalom D. Toyeng, Administrative Aide VI, Mr. Mario M. Salamat, Administrative Aide IV (Driver) and Ms. Janeth G. Dasap, Utility worker.
NNC-CAR conducts activities to achieve the organizational outcome of improved access to quality nutrition and nutrition-services.
First, the regional agency conducts nutrition policy, standards, plan and program development coordination. The activities under this include formulation, approval, and dissemination of RNC policies, monitoring of the formulation and updating of Local Nutrition Action Plans (LNAP) of LGUs, and participation to activities of inter-agency bodies in the region such as the Regional Social Development Committee, Regional Implementation Coordination Team, and Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children, among others.
Second, for food and nutrition surveillance, NNC-CAR monitors and evaluates LGUs and Local Nutrition Focal Points through the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan and Implementation (MELLPI) Pro. The MELLPI Pro aims to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments in planning and implementing local nutrition programs. This is a tool for monitoring implementation of the PPAN, provision of technical assistance at the same time identification of high performing LGUs and local nutrition focal persons. This year, the MELLPI Pro will be conducted by NNC-CAR in the 2nd semester.
To give due recognition to LGUs, local nutrition workers, and schools divisions who have performed the best with regard to nutrition implementation, the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) is being held. RNAC is an annual activity organized by the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) and NNC-CAR. For 2022, the RNAC is expected to be conducted on the 4th quarter.
A Regional PPAN Program Implementation Review (PIR) is also conducted every 4th quarter of the year. The RPAN PIR aims to compare the actual accomplishments of the RNC member agencies vs. the target based on the updated RPAN Targets/commitments by the Regional Technical Assistants on Nutrition. Moreover, the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) together with the NNC-CAR conducts monitoring of salt plants, points of sales, and other critical points twice a year.
Other activities under the food and nutrition surveillance are monitoring of the Local Nutrition Early Warning System in Lamut, Ifugao and monitoring of five established Nutriskwela Community Radio Stations in the region.
Third, for the promotion of good nutrition, NNC-CAR spearheads the celebration of the nutrition month every July. Among the activities lined up for this year’s celebration are Nutrition Month Kapihan, conduct of Nutrisong Contest for LNCs, webinar series, and nutriquiz over radio stations to advocate the Nutrition Month theme.
In addition, Social and Behavior Change Communication activities are also done to promote good nutrition. Among the activities include airing of nutrition messages through radio, nutri-quiz for Nutriskwela Community Radio and NNC-CAR Facebook page, nutri-challenge on the fanpage, publication of nutrition information/articles/messages in local newspapers, website and fanpage, media community outreach, dissemination of collateral materials, and participation in sectoral celebrations and activities, among others.
Fourth, for the assistance to national, local nutrition and related programs, mobilization activities for LGUs, among others, are conducted for capacity development. Activities include conduct of Local Nutrition Action Plan refresher for the cities and provinces in the region, Nutrition Shepherding, and conduct of the Learning Hub for Enhanced and Revitalized Nutrition project.
For more information and updates, please visit NNC-CAR’s website: https://www.nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/luzon/cordillera-administrative-region or visit our facebook: www.facebook.com/nnc.car.
BELLA M. BASALONG
