BUTUAN CITY - As member agency of the Social Development Committee (SDC) of the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC), the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga participated in the Social Sector Stakeholders' Consultation as part of the preparation process in the formulation of the Caraga Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028 organized by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga on September 09, 2022 at Almont Hotel and Inland Resort, this city. DMOII Raphael P. Ochavo represented the NNC Caraga together with BNS Regional Federation President Ms. Mary Lomoljo, Surigao City Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Gerivy Lipio and Butuan City Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Marissa Quilondrino. 

NEDA Caraga Regional Director Priscilla R. Sonido, CESO III, led the 1-day consultation with discussing the rationale of the activity highlighting the key role of the member agencies and stakeholders in the formulation of the Caraga RDP 2023-2028. She added that the stakeholders' consultation is part of the situational analysis, an initial step in the preparation process for the RDP, to be followed by the formulation of the strategic framework, identification of the major programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) and the finalization of the RDP 2023-2028.

As one of the highlights of the activity, NEDA Caraga Supervising Economic Development Specialist Ms. Gladys Giberson presented the Social Sector Situationer (as of 2021), wherein she discussed the (1) Macroeconomic Performance (2) Sectoral Performance and (3) Headline Macroeconomic Targets. In the report, Caraga's poverty incidence increased to 33.2% in 2021 as compared to 30.5% in 2020, the second highest incidence among Mindanao regions. In the strategic framework for Pagbabago  (health and nutrition), 4 out of 14 major target indicators were achieved, wherein out of the 4 target indicators achieved, 3 indicators are in the nutrition sector. The nutrition situation showed a steady decline of prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among 0-59 months old children but noted that there is an increase in magnitude. 

The next part of the program focused on the consultation proper using the Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight concepts and tools such as the 3Icon Story, Health, Economic, Political, Sociocultural, Technological, Environmental and Regulatory/Legal (HEPSTER) and Futures Triangle methodologies. NEDA Caraga Chief Economic Development Specialist Atty. Michelle P. Dela Calzada explained the mechanics and together with the NEDA Caraga, she led the 2-workshops. There are five groups organized representing the [1] Health and Nutrition Sector, [2] Education and Technical-Vocational Education and Training, [3] Innovation Sector, [4] Social Protection Sector and [5] Housing Sector. Each sector shall process inputs accordingly and shall be the basis for the write-ups for each sector to form part of the RDP 2023-2028.

Among the many concerns of the health and nutrition sector, the issues on inadequate funding support for nutrition and health workers and for programs and projects, absence or limited number of nutrition and population offices in the LGUs and ineffective governance were the concerns that the participants tackled the most. The health and nutrition sector came up with a plausible future statement, "Universal access to quality health care services and health information". The statement envisions a future wherein Caraganons has access to sustainable basic health and nutrition services that has a comprehensive and inclusive policy support and adequate funding, increased investments to technological advancement in the healthcare system and to disaster and pandemic-resilient infrastructure and stronger public-private partnership.

Wrapping up the 1-day consultation, NEDA Caraga Assistant Regional Director Gemima A. Olam thanked all of the participants and stakeholders for their active participation and posed the challenge on furthering the holistic development of the region. The NEDA Caraga shall facilitate the succeeding steps in the Regional Development Planning process in October 2022. #RPOchavo