As part of the LGU Mobilization for the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, the National Nutrition Council at the National Capital Region (NNC-NCR) will assist priority local government units (LGUs) in formulating their respective local nutrition action plans (LNAP) for 2020-2022 through a planning workshop tentatively scheduled on September 5-6, 2019. Priority areas in NCR are the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Marikina, San Juan, Paraňaque and the municipality of Pateros.

On June 26, 2019, a pre-planning workshop was conducted for the priority LGUs to help them formulate their nutrition situation analysis and set outcome targets. The workshop was held at the NNC Boardroom in Taguig City attended by nutritionist-dietitians from the priority LGUs. It was facilitated by NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo assisted by Nutrition Officer III Emerenciana L. Francia.
During the workshop, RNPC Federizo reiterated the importance of investing in nutrition to win the war against malnutrition. “We need to focus all our effort in reducing stunting. If we prevent stunting during the first 1000 days of a child’s life, we can also prevent other forms of malnutrition such as wasting, obesity and deficiencies in vitamin A, iron and iodine. The first 1000 days of life is the critical window of opportunity for a child’s optimal growth and development”, RNPC Federizo said.

“We need to act now if we want a better future for our children and for our country. Our actions in the first 1000 days of the child will be our contribution in helping our children get a better start in life and help families break free from the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and poverty. We have the national framework - the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) to guide us in planning nutrition programs, as well as policies, issuances and legislations to support our investments in nutrition. But we need to get the support and program leadership of our local chief executives in the implementation of the PPAN with emphasis on programs and services on the first 1000 days”, RNPC Federizo added.

In the afternoon session, NO III Francia reviewed the participants on how to formulate a comprehensive nutrition situation analysis. Participants were also oriented on the worksheets to be used in the planning workshop, particularly in determining their outcome and sub-outcome targets and budgetary requirements for their LNAP 2020-2022. 

Each priority LGU is expected to convene the members of their city/municipal nutrition committee to discuss and finalize their updated nutrition situational analysis as well as review and update their respective 3-year local nutrition action plans, particularly their programs and targets prior to the planning workshop. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)