2 June 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – A total of 37 local nutrition focal points from various local government units (LGUs) in Region X attended the Training on Enhancing Documentation Skills of Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFPs) held on 1 June 2022 at Chali Resort and Conference Center, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

The design and the conduct of the one-day training was spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X through the leadership of Ms. Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, Nutrition Program Coordinator.

Importance of documentation skills, enhancing core documents of the Local Nutrition Committee (LNC), and tips on good record keeping were discussed by NNC X’s Nutrition Officers (NOs). Specifically, below were the sessions covered:

• Session 1: Document Like a Pro! by NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle
• Session 2.1: Local Nutrition Action Plan by NO III Talle
• Session 2.2: Minutes of the Meeting by NO I Liezel Joy D. Reyes
• Session 2.3: Accomplishment Report and Photo Documentation
• Session 2.4: Program Implementation Review (PIR) Documentation Report by NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles
• Session 3: Record Keeping

The facilitators defined each of the LNC documents per session, minimum information and content requirements, and common issues and observations. Templates were also shared to the participants as their reference.

The highlight of the training was the conduct of workshop where the participants assessed their current documents based on the checklists provided by the facilitators. The second workshop output were the enhanced sample LNC documents, which were then presented by the groups for the facilitators’ comments.

In her message, NPC Fernandez emphasized the focal points’ important role as the data reserve for nutrition in their LGU, and that having good documentation skills is a quality that every nutrition program manager must have.

As a response, the participants expressed their gratitude for having been given an opportunity to learn during the training. Aside from the knowledge they earned from the sessions, they also appreciated the good practices shared by their fellow participants. Additionally, they manifested their commitments of applying what they learned in their respective LNCs.

Aside from the conduct of monitoring and evaluation activities and field visits, the training was also a form of technical assistance to the nutrition focal points on how they can enhance their skills in documenting the nutrition programs, projects, and activities. Banking on such skill will develop their work efficiency and better management of the nutrition program. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)