On August 11, 2022, NNC9 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong, together with Development Management Officer II of ZDS, Ms. Marie-Claire A. Gaas, made a courtesy visit and advocacy session with City Administrator and CNAO-designate, Engr. Vince Quipot and staff. The main agenda of the visit is to lobby for the support of the Nutrition Program, specifically on the BNS program, staff for the Nutrition Office, and submission of the Operation Timbang Results. The city has allocated Php 5,315,750.00 for the implementation and strengthening of the nutrition program.

From the total budget, 1,135,750php will be allotted for the BNS Program, 80,000php for skills training, educational tours, or convention, 100,000php for the search for the “Most improved Barangay”, and 4,000,000php for the Supplemental feeding Program and Milk Supplementation Program. The National Nutrition Council IX will continue to provide technical assistance such as providing an orientation on the program in line with nutrition to the newly designated city nutrition program coordinators and other nutrition staff.

A famous quote by Edward Everett Hale says that “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is a success.” The implementation of nutrition and health-related services on the ground will persist if local nutrition workers will work together for active community involvement. The National Nutrition Council Regional Office IX (NNC RO9) will continuously provide capacity development for local government units on Nutrition Program Management which will soon help them be champions for Nutrition!

DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND