28 January 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – The Northern Mindanao Mentoring Initiative for Nutrition (NorMIN) Regional Shepherding Team (RST) jumpstarted the year by conducting Advocacy Meetings with Lanao del Norte Province and Iligan City on 26 and 28 January 2022, respectively.

The virtual meetings aimed to a) hold a one-hour dialogue with the local chief executives (LCE) and the local government units’ (LGU) key players on nutrition, b) present the Nutrition Shepherding Project, and c) secure approval of the LCE and the Local Nutrition Committee (LNC).

During both meetings, RST Chairperson Ms. Hazel P. Dondonayos, Valencia City Nutrition Action Officer led the discussion on the details of the project, followed by the nutrition situation and LNC functionality checklists of the two LGUs.

An open forum was held for each meeting to discuss initial queries from the priority LGU. Other RST members present during the meetings provided additional details and insights regarding the initiative.

The LCEs’ representatives during the meeting declared that they are willing to be mentored by the Shepherding Team. The objectives in the Shepherding Plan will be carried out to realize this initiative.

As part of the next steps, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X will facilitate the signing of Conforme letter, the collection of necessary LGU documents, and preparation for the planning workshop in June.

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte was represented by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Annabel Mendez, and Provincial Health Office Medical Officer Dr. Cristie Joy A. Indoc, Nutritionist-Dietitian Luvi Joi O. Pepino, and District Nutrition Program Coordinator Jalillah A. Macadato. On the other hand, for Iligan City, Acting City Health Officer Dr. Belinda “Bunz” Lim represented Mayor Celso G. Regencia. With her were City Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Glenn L. Manarpaac, Planning Officer Josephine T. Layasan, Ms. Gendelyn Fernandez, Chief of Staff of Councilor Macky Macapagal, and Nutrition Office staff.

The Nutrition Shepherding Project is a peer-to-peer platform that involves guiding and mentoring LGUs on nutrition by a shepherding team to enhance their knowledge and skills on nutrition program management. Last 3 December 2021, the RST agreed to shepherd Lanao del Norte Province and Iligan City, based on the set of criteria considered for prioritization.

The Shepherding Team is hopeful that this initiative will be the start of how the two LGUs can likewise act as shepherds in the future. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)