BUTUAN CITY- The Provincial Nutrition Office of the Province of Surigao del Norte, after the long lockdowns and post Odette response activities reconvened its First Quarter Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) Meeting on February 10, 2023, at the Provincial Health Office, Surigao City.

Fifteen (15) Municipal Nutrition Action Officers; City Nutrition Program Coordinator (CNPC) of Surigao City; District Nutrition Program Coordinator (DNPC); Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO); NDII of the Provincial DOH Office-SDN; and four (4) NNC Caraga staffs were present during the meeting.

The meeting served as an avenue for information dissemination of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028 and updated workshop guidelines on Local Nutrition Action Plans, address clarifications on matters related to nutrition programs and related activities, facilitate concerns of the association, and to discuss the following agenda: (1) OPT 2022 Results, (2) NNC Updates, (3) Incoming Provincial and Regional MELLPI Pro.

In her message, the Provincial Health Officer and the designated Provincial Nutrition Action officer (PNAO), Dr. Maria Isabel Bertulfo-Makinano welcomed the nutrition action officers and representatives from the different municipalities.

She then shared her vision, particularly on improving the provincial nutrition situation. She encouraged the NAOs together with the Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) to work hand-in-hand and learn together to improve the provincial nutrition situation.

The 2022 Regional Nutrition Situation revealed that the Province of Surigao del Norte ranked second in underweight and stunting and ranked first in wasting and overweight indicators.

Meanwhile, NPC Dr. Labordo provided the overview of the PPAN 2023-2028 as well as discussed, the updates on the strategic framework and putting importance on the adoption and budget allocation of the PPAN’s strategic thrusts.

On the other hand, DMOII Fernandez discussed the project components and overview of the Tutok-Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program, in targeted areas of Siargao Island.

NPC Dr. Labordo reiterated that the implementing guidelines of TK-DSP are readily available for program adoption in the LGU and may serve as a guide in implementing DSP in the municipality.

Further, DMOII Ochavo provided updated guidelines on local nutrition planning for the completion of their Municipal Nutrition Action Plans (MNAPs). He also shared the approved Municipal Nutrition Action Plan (MNAP) of the Municipality of Limasawa, Leyte as a sample.

Additionally, NPC Dr. Labordo presented the implementing guides for the conduct of MELLPI Pro. He encouraged the PNO to organize the Provincial Nutrition Evaluation Team (PNET) for the monitoring and evaluation of various nutrition programs and local nutrition focal persons.

The meeting ended with the election of a new set of NAOs Provincial Federation Officers with MNAO Kareen Ugay of the Municipality of Bacuag elected as the President. #MAFernandez