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- Category: Region 9
National Nutrition Council (NNC) IX holds the 1st Quarter Meeting of the Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) on 30-31 January 2020 at Cityinn Hotel, Zamboanga City. Representatives of various agencies which are members of the RNC were present and OIC-NPC Nimfa D. Ekong, RND, MDM presided the meeting.
The two-day meeting was filled with comprehensive presentations, introduction of Information Management Tools of the Nutrition Cluster, and exchanges of ideas and suggestions for the betterment of RNC.
Engr. Eduardo T. Lauron, Science Research Analyst of Seismological Observation Earthquake Prediction Division of PHIVOLCS presented the disaster preparedness and explained the different ways how an earthquake is initiated, its effects and relevant data of past earthquakes and tsunamis in the country, specifically in Zamboanga Peninsula. Contrast to the idea of the mass media regarding the ‘Big One’, where a possibility of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake would hit the area of Luzon, Engr. Lauron clarified that the ‘Big One´ is everywhere because of numerous earthquakes with a maximum of 5.0 magnitude happening throughout the country, including possible higher magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis. An earthquake drill was also conducted where the participants were expected to drop, cover, and hold.
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- Category: Region 9
Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) is celebrated every fourth week of January by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 on December 11, 2016. This year’s GAW theme “Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin” focuses on the importance of using iodized salt in preventing thyroid disorders such as goiter and other ill effects of Iodine deficiency.
In Observance of GAW 2020, the Department of Health in collaboration with different organizations including the National Nutrition Council conducted a Partners Forum and Basic Thyroid Course for Primary Care Physicians and other Health Care Professionals in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. Thyroid Lay Forum for Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center patients, relatives and hospital staff was held on January 21, 2020, while Basic Thyroid Course for Health Care Professionals and Barangay Health Workers was conducted on January 22, 2020 at Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City. The assembly aims to address the ill effects, prevention, signs and symptoms of goiter and the risk factors of Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD). It is a continues effort to eradicate IDD in Zamboanga Peninsula as it is one of the regions with the highest prevalence of IDD in the country based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey in 2013.
When iodine requirements in the body are not met, the thyroid may no longer be able to synthesize sufficient amount of thyroid hormone which may lead to functional and developmental abnormalities such as thyroid disorders. The most common type of thyroid disorder especially in the Philippines is the goiter or bosyo in Filipino. Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland which can easily be identified when there is swelling in front of the neck. Symptoms of goiter includes difficulty in breathing and swallowing, coughing, hoarseness and a tight feeling in the throat.
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- Category: Region 9
Every year, Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), Regional Outstanding Nutrition Action Officers (ONAOs), top ranking municipalities, and CROWN awardees are being recognized in the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC). This event is being held annually to give honor and appreciation to local government units and nutrition champions who willingly served their respective localities in order to prioritize nutrition and improve their nutrition situation. This year, RNAC was celebrated at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City last 05 December 2019, with the presence of Hon. Darel Dexter T. Uy, mayor of Dipolog City; Dr. Augosto Manolo Alpichi who represented Dr. Emilia P. Monicimpo, MD, MPH, CSEE of Department of Health (DOH); Nimfa D. Ekong, RND, MDM, Officer-in-charge, Nutrition Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 9 and the Executive Director of NNC, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MD, MCH, CESE who is also the keynote speaker of the memorable event.
OIC-NPC Nimfa D. Ekong introduced the keynote speaker Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, who had just been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the Executive Director of NNC this year. In her speech, she congratulated the awardees for their exemplary efforts and hoped that they take this award as a privilege given to them in order to provide more efficient service to their respective localities to improve their nutrition situation. Dr. Dayanghirang herself said that she started as a City Nutrition Action Officer of Davao City in 1991. Like all other NAOs, she started just like them who only wanted to render excellent service to her home city. As nobody is being awarded without working hard for it, she encouraged the BNSs, NAOs, District Nutrition Coordinators and other nutrition implementors to push themselves to be in their very best to provide outstanding service to their respective localities for their efforts will provide good results in the future.
ED Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, OIC-NPC Nimfa D. Ekong, and Dr. Augusto Manolo Alpichi presented the awards. The most notable award given is the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award and this is given to local government units (LGUs) with outstanding implementation of its nutrition action plan for three consecutive years. This award and a green banner was given to Dipolog City. The Municipality of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay was awarded as the 1st year CROWN maintenance awardee, and the province of Zamboanga Sibugay as a Nutrition Honor Award Finalist.
Read more: New NNC RO9 Nutrition Champions during the 2019 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony
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- Category: Region 9
The Regional Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs), District/City/Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/C/MNPCs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Federation Officers successfully elected its new set of officers for the calendar year 2020-2023 during the Year-End Joint Meeting of NAOs, D/C/MNPCs and BNSs’ Federation Officers on December 4, 2019 at Cityinn Hotel, Zamboanga City. The new set of officers aims to help the National Nutrition Council (NNC) IX and the Regional Nutrition Committee in ensuring the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition especially in the Local Government Units. The officers also facilitate convergence, raise and recommend solutions on issues and concerns, provide technical assistance to their counterparts, promote nutrition advocacy and undertake resource generation activities as regional federation.
The following are the newly elected NAOs, D/C/MNPCs and BNSs’ Federation Officers.
Nutrition Action Officers:
President: Dr. Ricardo Awit, MNAO, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte
Vice President: Ms. Jesielyn Puno, CNAO, Isabela CIty
Secretary: Ms. Grace Sumogue, PNAO, Zamboanga del Sur Province
Treasurer: Ms. Rosita Patangan,MNAO, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur
Auditor: Ms. Alma Alvarado, MNAO, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay
PIO: 1. Ms. Grace Podiotan, MNAO, Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur
2. Ma. Florisa Quiblat, MNAO, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
3. Ms. Mary Lissa Yorong, MNAO, Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay
Board of Directors: 1. Ms. Jean Flores, MNAO, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay
2. Ms. Glemma Briones, MNAO, Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur
3. Ms. Evelyn Evardo, MNAO, Godod, Zamboanga del Norte
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- Category: Region 9
This year, the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte thru the Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) and in partnership with the ZNFederation of Parents (ZNFePa) celebrated the National Children’s Month’s Nutrition Awarding Ceremony and Children’s Sports Festival or Art Activities on 26 November at Zamboanga del Norte Cultural & Sports Center, Dipolog City with the presence of ZDN Provincial Governor Hon. Roberto T. Uy, ZDN Provincial Director of DILG Mario A. Baterna, ZDN Provincial Director of PNP PCol. Michael B. Macapagal, OIC-Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Region 9 Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong, RND, MDM, mayors, vice-mayors, and representatives of mayors of different municipalities and two cities of Zamboanga del Norte.
Hon. Roberto T. Uy gave a message pointing out that children are gift of God and that children should be raised in a family who unites for prayer. Rather than spending time in gadgets, parents should teach their children how to pray and to spend time with their children. On the other hand, he also reminded the children to respect and obey their parents at all times. He ended his speech by assuring that the government is making sure that everything is at its best in the implementation of activities and programs for the benefit of all children.
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- Category: Region 9
Friday, December 27, 2019- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Regional Office 9 staffs visited the different Historical sites of Zamboanga City for their Technical Exchange Visit. The visit aims to foster open exchange of ideas and sharing of lessons learned and to impart community spirit among NNC employees toward improved organizational performance for better service to the citizenry. Headed by Nimfa D. Ekong, Officer-in-Change, Nutrition Program Coordinator with staffs, Felimon Modillas, Administrative Aide (AA) III, Gabriel Tubigon, Nutrition Officer (NO) II, Zhalimar Jakaria-Patulada, NO I, Angelica Pajulas, NO I, and Annie Rose Magno, AA VI, the team toured some remarkable places of Zamboanga City.
At first, the NNC-RO 9 team had lunch at Hacienda de Palmeras Hotel and Restaurant in Zamboanga City, then proceeded to the Butterfly Sanctuary located at Pasonanca Park also known as La Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat. The sanctuary is filled with Paper Kite butterflies which are noticeable with their two ruling colors on their wings- black and white that looks very attractive as they flee to the flowers inside the sanctuary.
Having been fascinated with the beauty of these butterflies and learned some facts about them, the team headed to Fort Pilar National Museum. Presently, the museum is still under renovation but opened an exhibit area for the public. It was divided into two exhibits; one that shows the photographs of the remarkable Filipinas in the country while the other features the art exhibits of the Filipino visual artist Bert Monterona entitled “Kalinaw hindi Digmaan” (All Out Peace Not War). The exhibit presents his tapestry paintings painted in a Mandaya Handwoven skirt (dagmay) that features his advocacies such as promoting sustainable living, protecting the environment, campaigning against war and building a culture of peace.
Read more: NNC 9 tours the Historical Sites of Zamboanga City
