BUTUAN City- In a meeting convened on 10 February 2023, the nutrition action officers of the Province of Surigao del Norte elected its new set of officers at the Provincial Health Office, Surigao del Norte Provincial Capitol, Surigao City.

The Federation elected the following officers: President Kareen Ugay of Bacuag; Vice President Gil Bandoy of Del Carmen; Secretary and PIO Ruth Rivera of Placer and Jean Cordita of Pilar; Treasurer Ervie Ortiz of Malimono; Auditor Medelyn Dolor of Sta Monica.

The group also added five Board of Directors, namely: Belen Bonono of San Isidro; Snocky Bato of Socorro; Ronel Almaden of Dapa, Gina Ateza of Alegria and Renilyn Cortes of San Francisco.

The election was moved as Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Gina Arteza of Alegria turned 65 years old and retired from her post of duty but still serves as job order.

In her message, Kareen Ugay thanked everyone for the trust accorded to her as the newly elected NAOs Federation President of Surigao del Norte.

She encouraged everyone to be with one vision on elevating the status of the nutrition situation in the province.

As a Municipal Administrator and MNAO designate of the Municipality of Bacuag, Ms. Ugay relayed that she can talk and communicate with some of the mayors about prioritizing nutrition programs and activities.

Meanwhile, Caraga Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Nino Archie S. Labordo thanked the Provincial Health Office through its Provincial Health Officer and at the same time the designated Provincial Nutrition Action Officer of the Province of Surigao del Norte, Dr. Ma. Isabel Bertulfo-Makinano for convening the First Quarter Meeting and for electing a new set of NAOs Federation Officers.

With the mobilization of local government units, Dr. Labordo said that best practices in the Province of Surigao del Norte will now be captured as he challenges the province to conduct the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI).

The Province of Surigao del Norte posted the highest prevalence of wasting in the region at 3.12% and stunting at 16.03% as recorded during the 2022 Operation Timbang Plus report, but there is high hope that these numbers will be reduced if everyone will look upon the engagements of multisectoral interventions, Dr. Labordo added.

The meeting was attended by fifteen nutrition action officers from Siargao Island and Mainlad Surigao del Norte with the attendance of Surigao City. #NASLabordo