The NNC Management Team composing of Nutrition Program Coordinators from the 16 regions in the country, the Chiefs of Divisions of the NNC Central Office and headed by its very own Executive Director Assistant Secretary for Health Maria Bernardita T. Flores flew in to Zamboanga City to hold its 3 days management conference at the Lantaka Hotel on 22-24 May 2013.
Two full days of the conference enabled the team to discuss and resolve issues pertaining the various concerns on nutrition policy and plan development, monitoring and evaluation, promotion of good nutrition and in particular to handle more efficiently and effectively the resources intended for the projects and activities that must be carried out to assist Local Government Units in the nutrition program management.
Many of the members of the MANCON Team were for the first time visiting the city, hence, the NNC RO 9 arranged a day tour of the city intersperse with nutrition project visitation. Among the projects sites visited was the Canelar Health Center where the BNS Federation is having their production of Cemoroz a complementary food preparation for babies 6 months and over. The team also witnesses at the Health Center an actual ongoing breastmilk collection to supply the Human Milk Bank at the Zamboanga City Medical Center which was likewise visited to see how the process of pasteurization and storage of the breast milk is done.
A welcome dinner was arranged for the MANCON Team where they had the chance to interact with the city’s outgoing Mayor Celso Lobregat who will soon be representing the city in the House of Congress. Thus, the meeting became an opportune time for the NNC to advocate and seek out his support for nutrition in congress. Present also during the dinner was the RNC Chair Regional Director Teogenes Baluma of the Center for Health Development IX and the City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos who is also the designated City Nutrition Action Officer. The team had a glimpse of the “Bailes de Zamboanga” a dance medley showing of the different cultures of the city performed by the members of the NDAP Zamboanga Chapter.
The NNC 2nd MANCON @ Hermosa Zamboanga was work and fun. Two members – NPC Pamela Tarroza (host) and Ms.Chona Fernandez, COD for Admin Division celebrated their birthdays on the 22nd and the 24th which caused a double celebration; the evening tour at the Fort Pilar and the Paseo del Mar brought unique experiences to the MANCON Team; while the shopping at the Barter Trade and the Yakan Village contributed to the economy of the city!
From the NNC RO IX’s NPC and staff --- “It was a pleasure hosting the NNC MANCON, Hasta la vista!”
