11 June 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) X and its subcommittees held the first face-to-face meeting since the pandemic started. Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr., Regional Director of Department of Health Center for Health Development-Northern Mindanao and the RNC X Chairperson presided over the meeting. The joint meeting for the RNC, Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNCl), RNC-Technical Working Group (RTWG), Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET), and ECCD-First 1000 Days RTWG convened a total of 24 participants.

During the meeting, the body approved three (3) RNC X policies: Resolution No. 1, s2022: “Adopting the Implementing Guidelines on Nutrition Shepherding Project for Effective Nutrition Program Management”, Resolution No. 2, s2022: “Recognizing Lanao del Norte Province and Iligan City as Target Priority Areas for the Nutrition Shepherding Initiative”, Resolution No. 3, s2022: “Inclusion of the Regional Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Network Convenors as Members of the Expanded RNC X.”

Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez likewise discussed the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11148 or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-nanay Act”, as well as the National Nutrition Council’s (NNC) request for the inclusion of select agencies’ programs, projects, and activities in their 2023 Operational Plans.

The NNC X technical staff proceeded with the discussion of the upcoming monitoring and evaluation schedule, and the 2022 Nutrition Month Campaign. Both activities required the attendance and participation of the RNC members. The NNC X eyes a series of face-to-face M&E activities for CY 2022. Further, the RNC X members are called to join the annual Nutrition Month Campaign through conducting and participating in relevant activities.

Highlights on the accomplishments of the Regional and Local Nutrition Clusters for 2020-2021 was presented, as well as the remaining 2022 activities of NNC X.

Prior to the adjournment of the meeting, select member agencies apprised the body on updates for their nutrition-related programs.

Dir. Llacuna and NPC Fernandez thanked the members for their active participation which led to a fruitful discussion of meeting proceedings. The NNC X Secretariat committed to follow-through the meeting agreements to ensure continuity of the thrusts of the RNC and its subcommittees. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)