The National Nutrition Council Region 02, together with the member agencies of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) of Region 02, and the local government units (LGUs) of Cagayan Valley, held the virtual 2020 Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN) 2019-2022 Program Implementation Review last 27 January 2020. The activity aimed to reinforce and assess the regional and sub-regional stakeholders to become effective and efficient in nutrition program management by reviewing and evaluating the implementation of nutrition programs in the region in the previous year. The annual review of the RPAN 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 will also determine adjustments required for the remaining plan period to facilitate achievement of the plan targets by 2022.
LGUs were able to accomplish the delivery of nutrition-specific, nutrition-sensitive services and enabling programs to the intended beneficiaries. Accomplished nutrition-specific services include assistance in the provision of Vitamin A and other micronutrient supplements in partnership with the Barangay Health Workers, promotion and protection of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), First 1000 Days program, food fortification, and even their regular Dietary Supplementation Programs. Nutrition-sensitive services such as livelihood assistance, food production, prevention of teenage pregnancy, and establishment of farm-market-roads were also achieved. For enabling programs, LGUs were able to conduct meetings of local nutrition committees, formulate their respective nutrition action plans (NAPs), Growth Monitoring and Promotion, and integration of nutrition in the LGUs local development and investment plans and programs.
Member agencies of the RNC were also able to accomplish their respective commitments to the RPAN 2019-2022 – the Dietary Supplementation Programs of DepEd and DSWD, inclusion of nutrition in curriculum of DepEd, micronutrient supplementation, nutrition in emergencies, and IYCF of DOH, food production of DA, E-Nutribun of DOST, and policy and general support from other member agencies.
However, these accomplishments were achieved by tweaking and innovating strategies in implementing nutrition programs, projects, and activities to adopt to the changes and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the meetings, orientations and coordination were done through digital platforms. All the necessary measures to avoid the transmission of COVID-19 and worsening the situation were followed like observance of minimum health protocols and travel restrictions.
Nevertheless, the National Nutrition Council, RNC, and LGUs in the region are still committed to improve the nutrition situation in the region this 2021 and achieve the RPAN outcome targets in 2022. All participants of the PIR assured that all challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic will be responded with necessary adoptions and innovations in nutrition program implementation. Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Maria Gisela M. Lonzaga, expressed her gratitude to the RNC and LGUs in their exemplary commitment to nutrition and congratulated everyone for another successful year of nutrition programs in the region despite the challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. -EMArcinue
