Bicol District/City Nutrition Program Coordinator Association (BiDA) finalized its Constitution-and-by-Laws and Association logo during its first quarter meeting for CY 2012. This was conducted on the 6th of March at Balay Suanoy, Daraga, Albay.

Orientation on the new OPT Plus Guidelines was given to the group. Only Naga City and a few municipalities in Camarines Sur have started to get the height of their children during this year’s OPT. The other areas are still to procure or fabricate their height boards but committed to continue advocating for this in their LGUs. The group likewise agreed to participate in the forthcoming regional recipe development contest and agreed on the 4 April deadline for its submission. Actual contest will take place in Legazpi City on 20 April. The group likewise agreed to the simultaneous planting of “gulay” to launch 2012 Nutrition Month on 2 July. In relation to this, Ligao City and Naga City reported that they have launched in their respective cities a contest among barangays for the best communal garden, awarding of which will be done in July.

Monitoring tool on PGN-IYCF was likewise shared to the group and all agreed to use the same tool to monitor IYCF in their barangays. NNC RO V announced that it will also randomly monitor barangays of its implementation of IYCF as well do the same during the conduct MELLPI. This annual evaluation including the Search for 2011 ROBNS will start on 2nd day of May until 4th of June to cover all the 6 provinces and 7 cities of the region. Members of the RTWG/RNET promised to join the annual nutrition evaluation activity. On its part, DILG will send communication to all governors and city mayors urging them to participate in this activity.