The National Nutrition Council Region II in coordination with Local Government Unit of Province of Batanes conducted First 1000 days forum cum LNAP 2023-2025 formulation last November 9-10, 2022 in Basco, Batanes.
Chief Nurse of the Provincial Health Office of Batanes, Ms. Jocelyn Verana gave the welcome remarks in lieu of Dr. Allan Sande, PHO/PNAO. RNPC Maria Gisela Lonzaga formally opened the forum and thanked everyone for their attendance. Hon. SP Chair on Health, Dr. Roel Nicolas gave an inspirational message on behalf of Hon. Gov. Marilou Cayco.
He acknowledged the efforts and contributions of the local nutrition workers in implementing the First 1000 Days program in the province. DMO II, John Nestor Ballad, presented Regional State of Nutrition and Food Security. NO III Edzell Arcinue discussed the need to focus on the First 1000 Days of Life. RNPC Lonzaga then presented the salient points of RA 11148 highlighting the roles of LGUs in the implementation of the law.
Finally, she shared the best practices of Quirino Province in the implementation of F1K Program in the province. The activity was attended by 91 LNC members, nutrition workers, and other nutritiion stakeholders in the province.
In the afternoon, NNC R2 assisted the Local Government Units of Batanes Province during the Planning Workshop on the formulation of 2023-2025 Local Nutrition Action Plan at HRTC Hall, Basco, Batanes. It was attended by 34 Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, Municipal Health Officers, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers, Municipal Agriculturists, Municipal Planning and Development Officers and other member of Local Nutrition Committees from LGUs of Batanes.
The activity aimed to provide technical assistance to LGUs in the finalization of their 2023-2025 LNAPs with consideration to nutrition program updates and the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling being implemented starting this year. Ms. Maria Gisela M. Lonzaga, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Region 02 welcomed the participants and formally opened the 1 1/2-day planning workshop.
She recognized the important roles of LGU planning team in formulating their respective LNAPs and to ensure that these are integrated in the local development plans and annual investment programs for assured budget and implementation. She also thanked everyone for exerting efforts in the efficient and effective implementation of nutrition programs, projects, and activities included in their current LNAPs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It covered the following topics; Overview of the workshop, formulating the nutrition situation analysis, inclusion of nutrition in the priority development challenges, setting outcome targets and defining projects and activities to achieve outcome targets.
The next day was allotted to discuss topics about Estimating Budgets for Nutrition Programs and Putting Together the 2023-2025 Local Nutrition Action Plan. Budget allocation and resource mobilization activities will ensure implementation of the identified programs, projects, and activities.
With the completion of the topics, it was expected that LGUs have drafted their LNAP 2023-2025 upon returning in their locality. It was agreed that the participants will present their LNAP 2023-2025 to the Local Nutrition Committee and approval by the local Sangguniang Bayan. Local Nutrition Action Plans are considered the blueprint of LGUs in ending malnutrition in their respective LGUs. – John Nestor L. Ballad
