The National Nutrition Council MIMAROPA, together with the Regional Associations — Nutrition Action Officer Association of the Philippines Inc. (NAOPA) - MIMAROPA, District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators Association of the Philippines Inc. (D/CNPCAP) - MIMAROPA, and Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (FBNS) - MIMAROPA, held its first joint meeting last 26 January 2022 via Zoom.

The first topic discussed are the 2021 Accomplishments that includes the following: RNC resolutions and RSDC/RDC nutrition-related policies passed, conduct of Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Pro and Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition Program Implementation Review (PPAN-PIR), monitoring of Local Nutrition Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security (LNEWS-FNS), among others.

This was followed by a discussion on the target plans and activities for the year 2022. Due to heightened travel restrictions brought about by COVID-19, assistance was requested among the key participants in the monitoring of salt plants and LNEWS areas.

The third agenda highlighted the 2021 Regional Nutrition Situation based on the e-OPT Plus Results showing the trend of malnutrition prevalence rate (MPR) in the provinces and cities. Likewise, the top 10 municipalities with highest MPR were identified. Municipalities that reflected a low coverage rate were encouraged to improve for the 2022 e-OPT Plus.   

The fourth agenda covered the reports scheduled for submission this year, while the fifth agenda emphasized on reminders and updates on the requirements of Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Assistance Requests.

The participants were also given an ample time to raise concerns that may have been overlooked during the discussion. Towards the end of the meeting, the NPC-OIC Eileen Blanco expressed hope for a better year for everyone despite the difficulty we are facing due to the pandemic.

Written by: NO I Sean Frances P. Barredo