The National Nutrition Council initiated a courtesy call to the newly appointed Minister of Health Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan on March 20, 2019 at Ministry of Health Training Center, Bangsamoro Complex Compound, Cotabato City. The NNC Internal Management Committee is lead by Deputy Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, together with Administrative Division Chief Ms. Chona Fernandez, NPPD Chief Ms. Maria Lourdes A Vega, NIED Chief Ms. Jovita B. Raval, NSD Chief Ms. Hygeia Ceres B. Gawe, Finance Division Chief Ms. Rossana S. Quillope and Region XII Nutriiton Program Coordinator Ms. Arceli Latonio.

During the event, Ms Jovita B. Raval includes in her presentation the overview of NNC and organization of NNC-BARMM and explains that the NNC mandates were derived from the PD 491, EO 234 and AO 88. Also, the key information’s on the national and regional nutritional situation, the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022, as well as expressing NNC support to the nutrition action to the previous Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and would continue do so to the new administration.

When DED Dr. Dayanghirang welcomes and expresses her appreciation for the presence of the Minister of Health Dr. Dipatuan, she adds that the “NNC recommends and proposes the possibility of creating NNC Regional Office within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) structure that has an Executive Order to ensure its function. In fact, the support of NNC Central Office is not enough to battle the massive indices in BARMM. Thus, long-term regional investment is needed”.

After the open forum, the Minister Dipatuan finally give his piece with enthusiasm, and gratitude to NNC. He speaks of his visions, “I want to share with you the pillars of BARMM. These are Education, Social services, Health, Strategic infrastructure and Moral Governance. I would like to emphasize on the moral governance to which I would compare to one of our religious pillars, which is fasting on the month of Ramadan. As a Muslim, one must fast and in order not to break the act, one must refrain from villainous actions and carnal desires among other sinful deeds. One must adhere to rules and regulations even if no living soul is aware of your actions because Almighty Allah sees everything. Thus, true accountability and 100 percent transparency is how the BARMM shall carry the moral governance”.

Moreover, the Minister give a positive assertion and express his commitment for the creation of the NNC regional office to further enhance the functions and service delivery of the commission. With that the Minister plans to re-launch NNC-BARMM to celebrate its nine years (9) of existence. In addition to the relaunching, will be the signing of Memorandum of Agreement between Ministry of Health and National Nutrition Council.

The occasion was concluded when the Minister Dipatuan accepts the NNC banner from his predecessor Secretary of Health Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding Jr.