25 July 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) visits the Local Nutrition Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security (LNEWS-FNS) Areas bi-annually to monitor the program implementation.
NNC X through Nutrition Program Coordinator (NPC) Gladys Mae S. Fernandez monitored the local government unit (LGU) of Kadingilan, Bukidnon last 15 July 2022. The activity was attended by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Maria Rollivette H. Acol and 13 Household Data Collectors. NPC Fernandez also paid a courtesy visit to Mr. James B. Apao, Municipal Administrator prior to provide rationale on the activity.
MNAO Acol informed that some of the Household Data Collectors were transferred to different barangay which was not a sentinel barangay. Likewise, some of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) retired and were replaced by new BNSs. To collect and generate timely analysis of data, MNAO Acol plans to orient the new Household Data Collectors re LNEWS and capacitate the BNSs on encoding LNEWS data. This is to ensure that LNEWS-FNS concerns at both municipal and barangay levels will be addressed accordingly.
One of the threats to food security in the first and second quarters was increase in food commodity prices. The Household Data Collectors reported that households were able to eat three times a day, however, some households resorted to eating less than the usual amount of food to make sure that all their family members can eat.
To ensure food and nutrition security in the municipality, LGU Kadingilan issued and implemented the local ordinance on Garden of Go, Grow, and Glow (G4). The ordinance mandates that G4 will be one of the requirements in applying for Live Birth Certification. To strengthen the implementation of the ordinance down to the barangay level, MNAO Acol will propose to the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) to revisit and review the said ordinance.
With the new administration, under the leadership of Mayor Jerry O. Canoy, Jr., LGU Kadingilan assured NNC X that they will sustain their gains in nutrition program implementation. Also, Municipal Administrator Apao expressed the full support of the LGU in the nutrition program. He said that LGU Kadingilan plans to transfer the Municipal Nutrition Office to a bigger office, and MNAO Acol will be given support staff to help her manage and coordinate the nutrition program.
Food and nutrition insecurity can be detected earlier through LNEWS-FNS. So, NNC X calls for more strengthened program implementation to ensure that all families are food and nutritionally secured despite challenges. (Development Management Officer II Arlie Joy O. Damiles/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./09631090198)
