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- Category: Region 4a
8 March 2013- is the declared International Women’s Day pursuant to RA 6949. CALABARZON region joins the entire world in this celebration through the conduct of several activities in line with the 2013 theme - Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan. The theme accentuates the need to accelerate women’s participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance. It also highlights the importance of strengthening the mechanisms and institutions that support women and to widen the arena for their participation. (Philippine Commission on Women)
NNC CALABARZON led by RNPC Carina Z. Santiago took part in the celebration during a Special Meeting of the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on Nutrition held at the 3rd Floor Conference Room, Center Health Development IV-A Bldg., Quirino Memorial Medical Center Compound, Project 4, Quezon City. RNPC Santiago recognized and honored the women of the RTWG/RNET on their role and contribution in society especially in the field of nutrition. The RTWG members were given a plaque of recognition which stated an affirmation of them being a woman soldier of good nutrition.
On the same day, another activity in line with Women’s Month celebration was conducted by the local nutrition committee of Calamba City spearheaded by CNAO Aleli Catalina Y. Jimenez together with the local GAD Council. The activity, dubbed as “Search for Gandang Buntis” was held at the Activity Center of SM Calamba City. The objective of the activity was to honor the women of Calamba specially the pregnant women and to empower them by making them the Ambassadress of Breastfeeding.
Participants in the said contest includes pregnant women who are in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy, who are 21-35 years old and has a record showing her complete pre-natal check-up. The finalists were given an orientation prior to the contest on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first 6 months, and appropriate provision of complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding until 2 years of age. Winners in the said contest were given plaques, sash, cash prizes, free Hepa-B screening and free New Born Screening for their upcoming babies.
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- Category: Region 4a
2 April 2013 – a reorganizational meeting of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) in CaLaBaRZon was held at the 3rd floor Conference Room, Center for Health Development (CHD) IV-A Building, QMMC Compound, Project 4, Quezon City. The meeting was attended by the Regional Directors of DOH-CHD IV-A and DILG IV-A and other representatives from the DOH-CHD, DOST, PIA, PPA and PNP.
RSCN Chair, Dir. Edgardo M. Gonzaga and RNPC Carina Z. Santiago convened the partner agencies to address the 2011 FNRI-DOST nutrition survey results on the awareness, perception and utilization of iodized salt in the region. Survey showed that less than 80% of households in CaLaBaRZon utilize iodized salt and that among 5 provinces in the region, Batangas has the least percentage of about 63.9% considering that the province is a salt producer.
The highlights of the meeting include the discussion on the: 1) status of the Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) in the Philippines and in the region; 2) status of the National Salt Iodization Program (NSIP) and the ASIN Law; 3) issues and concerns of the Salt Industry and; 4) terms of reference for the reorganization of the RBATF.
The group agreed on the following actions to be done within the year including: 1) strengthening the monitoring of the NSIP in the region through the reorganization of the Provincial/City Bantay Asin Task Force; regular dialogue and consultative meeting with salt producers, traders and allied industries; and monitoring of salt products in warehouses of salt producers and traders and port areas; 2) intensifying the advocacy through the relaunching of SIP and Patak sa Asin in the region; PNP PRO 4A as advocates of SIP and market as advocacy area for SIP implementation as well as mobilization of market administrators and vendors themselves. NNC to develop IEC materials like SIP brochures for market distribution and use; 3) passage of a Regional Sub-Committee on Nutrition (RSCN) reorganizing the RBATF to include other members such as the Regional President of the Liga ng mga Barangay and the Maritime Police; and include “Policy Formulation” as another function of the RBATF aside from Monitoring and Advocacy functions; and 4) Issuance of a joint circular from DILG, DOH-CHD and NNC, requesting the LGUs to reorganize their respective Provincial/City Bantay Asin Task Force and provide regular reports to the RBATF.
DOH and NNC will be discussing the plan of activities of the RBATF initially with the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) of Batangas province in an organizational meeting in May 2013.
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- Category: Region 4a
10 May 2013 – A total of 380 graduates composed mainly of mothers (pregnant, lactating and with malnourished children), mother leaders, BHWs and BNSs graduated at the Chipeco Hall of the Dr. Jose Elementary School after participating in the 20 day-Nutrition School On the Air (NSOA) program of the NNC IV-A and the Calamba City government.
The activity, which started on March 1, 2013 and ended on April 2, 2013 aimed to educate people to eat healthy and eat more fruits and vegetables through the lessons aired by “Sir Daniel” in his radio station – DZJV 1458 kHz and was guided using the manual developed by NNC entitled “Paaralang Panghimpapawid Ukol sa Gulay, Prutas at Wastong Nutrisyon”.
NO II Lourdes B. Bulante delivered a short message in behalf of RNPC Carina Z. Santiago, thanking all the graduates and the Calamba City Nutrition Committee for a job well done and encouraging everyone to advocate for continuous practice of good nutrition in their community.
The students with exemplary performance which was validated through the post-test given to them were recognized and given special tokens and gifts. Also, all graduates were awarded with a certificate of completion.
NNC and Calamba CNC plans to conduct again the second wave of the NSOA on the 3rd quarter of the year this time targeting mothers and other caregivers.
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- Category: Region 4a
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.
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- Category: Region 4a
15 May 2013 – NNC Calabarzon bids farewell to a Nutrition Champion in the person of Director Edgardo M. Gonzaga, the Chair of the Regional Sub-Committee on Nutrition (RSCN) and Regional Director of the Center for Health Development 4A.
Director Gonzaga was given a simple farewell party by the CHD personnel on his last day at the office held at the Fernando Generics Hall, Center for Health Development, Project 4, Quezon City.
The NNC family in Region IV which also included the NNC Mimaropa staff, gave Director Gonzaga a plaque of gratitude as a simple token and souvenir that he will forever be remembered as a guy with a big brain and a big heart for nutrition. “Director Ed” was known for being a great supporter of nutrition, manifested in his all-out support to the activities of the NNC, unselfishly sharing the CHD’s resources, and his exemplary leadership of the Regional Sub-Committee on Nutrition. He was always concerned with the welfare of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS). In Eastern Visayas where he partnered with NNC RNPC Carina Santiago for almost three (3) years, he was instrumental in the crafting of the Magna Carta of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) which was filed by Cong. Roger Mercado during the 15th Congress, promising a brighter future for the BNSs.
.Also present in the said event were DOH USec. Ted Herbosa, CHD IV-A ARD Corazon Flores, the Division Chiefs and the rest of the CHD employees.
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- Category: Region 4a
27 April 2013 – the CaLaBaRZon P/CNAOs and NNC paid tribute to a retired colleague, Ms. Aurora T. Villalobos aka “Auring” and “Tita Au” - the City Nutrition Action Officer of Trece Martires City.
The said activity was spearheaded by the Nutrition Action Officers’ Association of the Philippines (NAOPA) - Calabarzon Chapter officers and RNPC Carina Z. Santiago to recognize her invaluable contribution to the nutrition sector not only in Trece Martires but in the region as well. Former CNAO Villalobos, who served as CNAO for 30 years was instrumental in Trece Martires City’s winning the Nutrition Honor Award in 2000, the highest award being given by the NNC to LGUs who have performed
Some of her colleagues who delivered messages were PNAO Helen Peñalba (Cavite Province), CNAO Elizabeth Hernandez (Dasmariñas City), CNAO Aleli Jimenez Yap, and CNPC Marietta Dogelio (Tagaytay City) who all shared their unforgettable experiences with “CNAO Auring”. They also expressed their deep respect and admiration for the honoree who also served as inspiration and a model of perseverance, passion and dedication to the rest of the Nutrition Action Officers of Calabarzon.
CNAO Villalobos and her family were thankful for the special tribute given to her and she informed everyone that she will still help the city of Trece Martires in implementing the nutrition programs by being the nutrition consultant.
