Calatrava, Romblon - NNC MIMAROPA staff DMO II (PNFP) Jhanna Torres and PEO I Nichole Loyola, along with provincial staff DNPC Merly Bayang and ND Carmen Gumban, paid a visit to the municipality of Calatrava, Romblon on 17 August 2022.
As Municipal Mayor Hon. Marieta F. Babera was immersed in the distribution of family food packs to households, the team handed over the PPAN Advocacy Jacket to the mayor representative as a token of appreciation for her continued support in championing nutrition and in empowering the nutrition focal persons in the implementation of nutrition programs within the municipality.
Further, the municipal nutrition office, represented by MAO Noel Falcutila, and MNAO staff Cathy Famis, was commended by the NNC MIMAROPA for the display of updated and detailed nutrition situation of LGU. These include nutrition information materials, action photos of MNAO and BNSs delivering nutrition services to the most vulnerable groups as well as the general population, an organizational chart of the Municipal Nutrition Committee and Municipal Nutrition Action Office, problem tree formulated based on the e-OPT Plus Results, Malnutrition Prevalence Rates (MPRs) of underweight, stunting, and wasting as a municipality and per barangays, trends of MPRs from 2017-2021, spot map, and suggested nutrition interventions to reduce malnutrition in the LGU.
To encourage BNSs in the timely submission of nutrition reports, MNAO initiated to display a tracker of the monthly performance of nutrition report submission of all seven (7) BNSs with legend as follows: star for excellent, heart for very good, square for good, and triangle for good. This serves as a daily reminder that timely report submission is as important as the delivery of quality and efficient nutrition services.
Finally, the team was welcomed by Brgy. Kagawad Charito Rabino, Brgy. Kagawad Zimri Faderagao, and Brgy. Secretary Billy Vevs Batano at the Barangay Hall of Poblacion, Calatrava. Upon visit, the following have been observed: 1) BNS Cristy Mojado was granted her own BNS office where she can prepare and file her reports, and 2) Members of the barangay nutrition committee, Child Growth Standards (CGS) tables, vision and mission, nutrition information, and BNS action photos were visibly displayed. MAO Falcutila shared that during evaluation, they recommend the establishment of BNS office to improve the productivity of nutrition frontliners. He added that they distribute seedlings to households to promote backyard gardening and increase food and nutrition security in the area. Additionally, a breastfeeding corner has been seen in the hall.
NNC MIMAROPA hopes that all municipalities in MIMAROPA Region will have supportive local chief executives to fully support in the delivery of effective nutrition interventions among the most vulnerable groups.
Written by: PEO I Nichole Loyola
