15-16 April 2013 – NNC CALABARZON headed by RNPC Carina Z. Santiagofacilitated the 1st Quarter Meeting of the Association of Quezon Nutrition Action Officers (AQNAOs), s. 2013 at the Graceland Estates in Tayabas City. The meeting was attended by the City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (C/MNAOs) and other representatives from 30 municipalities and cities in the province.

AQNAO, headed by its President, Dr. Lisa Vargas recognizes the very important role of local chief executives in the implementation of their local nutrition programs thus they agreed to conduct a dialogue with the new elected local chief executives (LCEs) on July 2013 to orient them on their significant roles and to solicit support and commitment in translating their local nutrition action plans into concrete actions to help in alleviating the nutrition situation in the municipalities of the province. The said dialogue will be made possible in coordination with NNC IV-A, League of Municipalities in the Philippines- Quezon Chapter and the Quezon Provincial Nutrition Office.

Other highlights of the meeting include the discussion on the: 1) updates on programs and projects including the forthcoming conduct of the Refresher Course on IYCF Community Support Group, Pabasa Sa Nutrisyon Awards, Reorganization of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF), Nutrition Month theme 2013; 2) results of the 2012 Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus; 3) review of the OPT Plus guidelines; 4) orientation on MELLPI, Search for OBNS, Criteria for the Search for Outstanding NAO and Barangay; and 5) presentation of the PPAN 2011-2016 and the New Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos.

The group also agreed to undergo a series of capability building activities which include trainings on the Refresher Course on IYCF Community Support Group and the Nutrition Program Management (NPM) Training for 20 new MNAOs of Quezon on August to September 2013.

AQNAOs also discussed some issues and organizational concerns of the association including: filling-up of the vacant positions of the AQNAO Officers and Board of Directors; finalization of schedule of meetings and; approval of their By-Laws.
The group shall meet up again in Mauban, Quezon on 28 June 2013 for their 2nd Quarter meeting.