1 December 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – A total of 2,113 guests, speakers, and participants joined the Regional Dialogue with Punong Barangays: Enabling Nutrition Devolution held on 23-24 November 2021 via Zoom and Facebook Live. Through this activity, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X convened Punong Barangays (PBs), Barangay Council and Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) members, Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), and other health and nutrition workers in provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.
Director Arnel M. Agabe, CESO III of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region X opened the program. Dir. Agabe called on the PBs and Barangay Officials to prioritize nutrition being the leaders in the barangay level. “The barangay may be the smallest unit of the government, but you as the barangay officials play the most important role in ensuring that we achieve the goals of our country. These goals are to provide basic services to all Filipinos for them to live a secure, healthy and peaceful lives,” the director added.
On the other hand, NNC Assistant Secretary and Executive Director Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MD, MCH, CESO III underscored the effects of good nutrition, which will bring better opportunities for the children in terms of health, intelligence, social adaptation, and productivity.
The program proceeded with a presentation by Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, entitled “Usapang PPAN sa Barangay: Programang Pangnutrisyon, Gawing Mahusay”. NPC Fernandez encouraged the barangays to focus on the programs identified in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, specifically on the First 1000 Days. She also enumerated the roles of the PBs, BNCs, and Sangguniang Kabataan representatives.
Budget & Management Specialist Michael Kevin T. Macesar, CPA of the Department of Budget and Management X presented “Bigger Budgets, More Investment for Nutrition”. In his presentation, he focused on the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling implications, Executive Order 138, and the devolved nutrition services to local government units (LGUs). NPC Fernandez and Mr. Macesar catered questions from the participants during the Open Forum.
After which, program moderator Arlie Joy O. Damiles of NNC X discussed the workshop which was on the assessment of the barangay nutrition program. A total of 298 submissions were received by the secretariat.
The virtual dialogue continued on 24 November 2021, with Nutrition Officer Sheena Marie G. Talle of NNC X as moderator.
A panel discussion entitled Navigating Nutrition Programs in the Barangay was held with the following panelists: PB Rogelio P. Hera, Jr. of Brgy. Lumbo, Valencia City; PB Lucita B. Akiatan of Brgy. Yahong, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, and 2019 Regional Outstanding BNS Jaime M. Iman, Jr. of Brgy. Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City.
The discussion centered on the opportunities brought by the Mandanas-Garcia SC Ruling, and the good practices of the three barangays in terms of nutrition program management. Moreover, the panelists were in consensus in terms of increasing investments for nutrition, including capacity development and increased honoraria of BNSs.
As continuation of the workshop from the previous day, Kag. Liza Carangcarang and Kag. Pedro G. Supnet, Jr. of Brgy. Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, and Brgy. Pagatpat presented their workshop outputs. These were processed by NO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi where she provided insights and recommendations for the barangays to improve their nutrition program implementation.
Lastly, key personalities in the regional scene declared their support to nutrition: Mr. Elmer S. Risonar, City Nutrition Action Officer of Gingoog City and President, Nutrition Action Officers Association of the Philippines Inc., Northern Mindanao Chapter; BNS Flordeliza S. Gonzales from Brgy. Tominobo Proper, Iligan City and President, NaBNS Federation, Inc.-Northern Mindanao Chapter; PB Cesarve C. Siacor of Brgy. Tominobo Proper, Iligan City and President, Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas - Region X; and SK Princess Grace L. Gayon of Brgy. Capitan Bayong, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon and the Provincial SK Federation President of Bukidnon.
A wrap-up was presented to summarize the two-day program, and the afternoon session of the second day was dedicated for the 6th BNS Conference.
The NNC X is extremely grateful to all guests, speakers, and participants for attending the event, including the LGUs, agencies, organizations, and bodies who helped in convening virtually Northern Mindanao’s nutrition prime movers.
Until the next conference! (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
