Taking advantage of today’s modern technology, the Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) of Zamboanga Peninsula convene online for its 1st semester meeting presided by National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region IX’s Nutrition Program Coordinator Nimfa D. Ekong. With the help of internet, gadgets such as laptop and mobile phones, and the Zoom application, 19 participants were able to connect and meet online on 13 May 2020. The agenda of the meeting includes discussing the Nutrition Advisory Nos. 01 and 02, sharing the good practices and initiatives of LGUs response amid COVID-19, discuss the 2020 Nutrition Month 2020 theme and plans, sharing the local ordinances of different LGUs, and other important matters. For other matters, issues and concerns with regards to BNS financial assistance were also discussed.
Just like other meetings NO I Zhalimar A. Jakaria-Patulada acknowledged the participants present to be able to know who participated in the online meeting. NPC Ekong welcomed all those who joined the meeting and presented the agenda tabled for discussion. Then immediately NPC Ekong discussed to the participants NNC’s Nutrition Advisory Nos. 01 and 02.
The most important points discussed on Nutrition Advisories No. 01 and 02 emphasizes that Local Government Units (LGUs), non-government organizations, and business companies are requested to promote good nutrition by using the 10 Kumainments, strengthen the advocacy on E.O. 51, promote exclusive breastfeeding for 0-6 months babies, conduct an inventory of prepositioned nutrition commodities, prioritize the barangays or municipalities who have high prevalence of undernutrition when giving food packs, encourage establishment of backyard gardening, include fruits and vegetables in the food packs, as well as in giving food packs exercise cultural considerations.
Further, during the meeting NO II Gabriel C. Tubigon asked the participants viable data and information such as the good practices and initiatives of their respective locality. It was reiterated during the meeting submission of local ordinances, executive orders, resolutions, and advisories for shortlisting by the Regional Office and to be submitted to the Central Office. Since the Regional Office is submitting regularly Ws and PIMAM status it was also requested that LGUs will submit reports.
And with less than two months before the nutrition month on July, NPC Ekong also shared the 2020 Nutrition Month Theme and the Regional plans for this year’s Nutrition Month Celebration. However, with the presented regional plan some changes can still be done depending on the situation on July.
Around 11:45am the meeting was adjourned. NPC Ekong thanked the participants for joining and making efforts to participate in the virtual meeting. Although being at different places, this did not stop the participants from engaging with each other and to ask questions. Virtual meetings are new for some people but we may start considering it as part of our new normal.
AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot
