26 February 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – Adapting to the new normal, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X held the 2020 Program Implementation Review (PIR) of the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN) 2019-2022 virtually, via Zoom, last 24 February 2021. A total of 24 Regional Nutrition Committee-Technical Working Group (RNC-RTWG), Provincial/City Nutrition Action Officers (P/CNAOs) and District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/CNPCs) attended the PIR.
PIR is an annual activity to revisit the RPAN accomplishments vis-à-vis RPAN targets. It is also a venue to assess and identify the facilitating and deterring factors in the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 programs. Likewise, target adjustment and action lines of RNC, NNC and local government units (LGUs) are determined to facilitate the achievement of 2022 targets.
Before the workshop proper, in the presentation of 2020 Regional Nutrition Situation for Preschool and School-Age Children, NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles highlighted that the prevalence of stunting for both preschool and school-age children shows a decreasing trend based on the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey, which is a good sign. After which, NPC Gladys Mae S. Fernandez refreshed the group on the 2022 regional outcome targets.
Right after, NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle presented the mechanics for the PIR. She explained the objectives of the PIR and the mechanics for each workshop. The PIR consisted of three (3) workshop sessions, namely: (1) RPAN 2020 Accomplishments vs. Targets, (2) Reasons for Deviation and (3) Moving Forward: Identifying Relevant Outcomes and Strategies to improve local PPAN implementation. To facilitate the workshops, the participants were grouped into two (2): RNC and LGU groups.
In workshop 1, both groups identified their actual accomplishments versus RPAN/local nutrition action plan (LNAP) targets. Despite the pandemic, most of the targets were accomplished. However, there are some targets with minimal accomplishment and some which need further validation. Each group also identified their unplanned nutrition-related activities conducted in response to COVID-19.
For the second workshop, the groups listed the facilitating and deterring factors of each PPAN program using the six (6) building blocks adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Systems Building Blocks as the framework for analysis. The most common reasons for deviation identified by the groups were the limited movement due to the pandemic and quarantine restrictions, and that, nutrition personnel were mobilized for COVID-19 responses. To add, budgets for nutrition related activities were re-aligned.
The PIR did not end without identifying strategies and programs to improve the implementation of RPAN 2019-2022 and further achieve the 2022 targets. So in workshop 3, both groups identified the targets to be modified, removed or added. Proposed modifications for existing activities were made for better approach in its implementation given the current COVID-19 pandemic. A few additional activities were identified by the participants as well. Targets for select interventions are also yet to be updated based on the agencies’ latest data. Such adjustments will be integrated in the local plans to catalyze actions for the achievement of RPAN targets.
Strengthening and intensifying the implementation of PPAN programs, particularly the First 1000 (F1K) Days activities, are essential to achieve the targets. NPC Fernandez quoted, “For the remaining 2 years of PPAN program implementation, a big move is needed to achieved the PPAN/RPAN targets.” To hasten the reduction of malnutrition, particularly stunting, NPC Fernandez advocated the inclusion of Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program under the First 1000 Days program in the LGUs’ nutrition action plans. The Tutok Kainan Program is a dietary supplementation program for pregnant women and 6-23 months old children.
NNC X calls for the continued commitment and support of the RNC, LGUs and partner stakeholders to achieve RPAN targets in 2022 and further end hunger and malnutrition in Northern Mindanao. (NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles)
