15 December 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The Nutrition Action Officers Association of the Philippines, Inc.-Northern Mindanao Chapter and the National Nutrition Council Region X convened the Region 10 Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers for its annual General Assembly. This was held 10 December 2021 via Zoom. There were 39 participants who attended the virtual assembly.
In his Opening Remarks, NAOPA, Inc. NM Chapter President Elmer S. Risonar, CNAO of Gingoog City that the association continues to advocate for the creation of plantilla position for NAOs. “This year is our biggest chance and biggest challenge of making NAOs’ item into a permanent position and to lobby per LGU for the creation of nutrition office in the limelight of nutrition devolution by virtue of Executive Order 138,” he said. CNAO Risonar called on to his fellow NAOs that they will continue to act and advocate for nutrition to forward the nutrition agenda.
The program proceeded with the discussion on “Opportunities for Strengthened Nutrition Programs: Good Practices of LGUs with Approved Proposals on the Establishment of Nutrition Office and Hiring of Personnel”. PNAO Marichu G. Tijing of Misamis Occidental and MNAO Christy Marie V. Alsado were the resource persons for the topic, sharing the good practices that they did to beef up management support for nutrition.
Both NAOs presented the process for their proposals, facilitating factors, good practices, and previous versus approved/proposed organizational structures for nutrition offices. NAOs from other LGUs expressed their gratitude and
During the Open Forum, PNAO Tijing and MNAO Alsado accommodated the queries from the participants. During the discussion, the resource speakers emphasized the importance of connection, collaboration, innovativeness, and commitment of NAOs. Despite having submitted the Devolution Transition Plans of LGUs, PNAO Tijing encouraged the NAOs to explore every opportunity and to not be limited with EO 138. MNAO Alsado also shared that NAOs should not be disheartened when being rejected, or when things are not going according to plan. In addition, Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez and CNAO Lelita G. Navarez of Ozamiz City shared more inputs that other NAOs can refer to, in relation to the discussion.
After the enriching dialogue, a brief announcement was made by NPC Fernandez on the results of national validation visits for three LGUs vying for national awards.
The afternoon session started with a talk entitled “Stress Management in the Workplace” by Ms. Jaymee Q. Leonen, RPsy, Psychosocial Division Head and Resident Psychologist of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Cagayan de Oro City. Her topic focused on factors that contribute to stress, and various methods and exercises to cope with it.
The NAOPA regional association continued with the General Assembly presided by Vice-President Jesus D. Dumangon, MNAO of Kadingilan, Bukidnon on behalf of CNAO Risonar. The assembly covered the President’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, and other matters. Concerns on payment of membership/annual dues was also tackled by the association.
NPC Fernandez delivered the Closing Remarks where she thanked the NAOs for all their hard work in implementing nutrition programs, especially during the pandemic. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
