21 September 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – A virtual Workshop on Integrating Nutrition in the 2022 Annual Investment Program was held for the first time for Camiguin Province and select local government units (LGUs). This was done on 14, and 16-17 September 2021 via video teleconferencing.
The previous efforts on LGU mobilization were focused on Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte areas, being classified as priority provinces under the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster (HDPRC). Thus, the virtual planning workshop for Camiguin, attended by the Province, and LGUs Catarman and Guinsiliban, was a first.
The National Nutrition Council X facilitated the workshop. Along the course of the 3-day activity, the LGU mobilization strategy and the imperative on investing in nutrition amid the pandemic were presented. Workshop mechanics were also explained.
The NNC X, as the Regional Team of Planning Facilitators (RTPF), assisted the LGU representatives in crafting their own budgets for 2022, focusing on the following major program groups: 1) First 1000 Days Program; 2) Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM); 3) Nutrition-sensitive Program; and 4) Enabling Programs. Presentation of costing workbooks and re-entry plans was done on the last day of the activity. Ms. Telesfora G. Madelo of the Department of Health Center for Heath Development-Northern Mindanao participated during the third day and provided insights to the outputs of LGUs.
Ms. Eleonor Butaya and Ms. Eres Panaligan, Municipal Nutrition Action Officers of Catarman and Guinsiliban, respectively, shared the same sentiments and said that the workshop is a great opportunity to prioritize nutrition activities for integration in the 2022 LGU budgets. Both participants expressed that they are thankful for the workshop as it opened an opportunity for a thorough technical assistance on nutrition planning.
As part of the re-entry planning, the RTPF is committed to provide assistance to the LGUs to make sure that opportunities are maximized, especially with the implementation of the full devolution in 2022. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
