25 August 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – The regional officers of the nutrition workers’ associations virtually convened for the 2nd Semester joint regular associations’ meeting last 19 August 2020 via Zoom.
A total of 37 participants including officers from the Nutrition Action Officers Association of the Philippines (NAOPA) Inc., Northern Mindanao Chapter, District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators Association of the Philippines (DCNPCAP), Region X Inc. and National Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation (NaBNS Fed.) Inc., Northern Mindanao Chapter joined the said assembly.
In her opening message, NPC Gladys Mae S. Fernandez reminded the body of the upcoming technical assistance/workshop on formulation of 2021 Annual Investment Program of local government units and to advocate to local chief executives the funding of programs on nutrition, especially activities on the First 1000 Days of Life. She likewise informed the body of the COVID-19 positive BNS from Iligan City and reminded everyone to be cautious and observe infection prevention and control measures.
The first part of the meeting was dedicated for the plenary session on updates from NNC X. Updates include submissions on nutrition reports, Pilot Training for Nutrition in Emergencies – Information Management, 2021 Annual Investment Program (AIP) Technical Assistance to LGUs, Local Nutrition Early Warning System (LNEWS) Online Monitoring, ECCD-First 1000 Days Program updates, concerns on assistance for BNSs, follow-up on Policy Review inputs and sharing of Local Nutrition Cluster/COVID-19 responses.
A breakout session was held to discuss concerns pertaining to the activities and plans of each association. The DCNPCAP, Region X Inc. and NaBNS Fed. Inc., NM Chapter meetings were presided by DNPC Marites A. Gomez and BNS Flordeliza S. Gonzales, respectively. The NAOPA, Inc. NM Chapter is set to convene in another meeting.
The meeting was conducted to inform the nutrition workers of the updates on various concerns regarding the nutrition program, and to discuss ways forward for the local and regional nutrition scene, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
