TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- Nutrition Action Officers and Nutrition Program Coordinators of different LGUs in Cagayan Valley, together with National Nutrition Council Region 02, conducted their first Quarter joint meeting of the year last February 4, 2021.
The joint meeting aimed to provide updates on nutrition program management to partner LGUs and their respective Local Nutrition Committees for improved nutrition programs.
Ms. Maria Gisela Lonzaga, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Region 02 warmly welcomed 81 participants, that are composed of District/Municipal/City Nutrition Program Coordinators and Provincial/Municipal/City Nutrition Action Officers from the 5 provinces (Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Batanes) and 4 cities (Tuguegarao City, City of Cauayan, City of Ilagan and Santiago City) of Cagayan Valley. Ms. Lonzaga highlighted in her message that policies and guidelines on nutrition program implementation were issued to ensure continuity in the delivery of nutrition services amid COVID-19 pandemic, most especially to the vulnerable groups.
Mr. John Nestor Ballad, Nutrition Officer II discussed the updates on e-OPT Plus for acute malnutrition. He discussed the key and new features of the updated e-OPT tool. He also presented and gave an overview on the NNC Memo No. 010 “Interim Guidelines in the conduct of OPT Plus, Nutrition Screening, Growth Monitoring and Promotion activities in the context of COVID-19 pandemic and other related disasters”. He emphasized to follow the decision tree provided in the memorandum to identify appropriate strategies in conducting this year’s OPT Plus, considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, interim guidelines on the delivery of nutrition services during the pandemic was also part of the agenda of the meeting. Mr. Edzell Arcinue, Nutrition Officer III, discussed DOH Department Memo No. 2020-0237 – “Interim Guidelines for the Delivery of Nutrition Services in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic”. He emphasized on the nutrition services in prevention of micronutrient deficiencies, promotion of proper infant and young child feeding practices, management of acute malnutrition and promotion of healthy diet for the prevention or management of non-communicable diseases.
Whereas, Ms. Frances Vea Valdez, Nutrition Officer II, gave a brief background on DOH Department Memo No. 2020-0231 “Guidelines on the Standardized Regulation of Donations, Related to Executive Order 51, series of 1986 (The Philippine Milk Code), to Health Facilities and Workers, Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations, and Private Groups and Individuals in Support to the Response to Emergencies, Disasters, and Situations Where Health and Nutrition of Mothers, Infants, and Young Children are Affected”. She reminded the LGUs to follow the decision and process flow and technical guidance for LGUs regarding the procurement of products covered by the scope of the Philippine Milk code that are stated in the memorandum and strictly monitor donations that are included in the scope of the code in order to promote and support adequate nutrition for infant and young children by protecting breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and advocacies.
NPC Lonzaga also presented the updates on the MELLPI Pro Guidelines and discussed on the other matters which includes the submission of 2020 BNS travelling allowance liquidation, request for 2021 BNS travelling allowance, IEC material and other nutrition collaterals to be delivered to LGUs. ###FVV
