09 September 2022, Cagayan de Oro City –Remaining areas under the Local Nutrition Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security (LNEWS-FNS) in Region 10 were visited by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X for monitoring. The LNEWS-FNS monitoring is conducted every semester to assess program implementation.
The local government units (LGUs) of Ozamiz City and Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental were monitored last 30-31 August 2022, respectively. A total of 31 participants attended the monitoring activity from the two (2) LNEWS-FNS areas. Participants were composed of LGUs’ LNEWS-FNS Core Group members, Household Data Collectors, and City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (C/MNAOs). Development Management Officer (DMO) II Arlie Joy O. Damiles facilitated the monitoring.
Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental MNAO Earl Yann D. Apao presented the 2022 first and second quarter survey results. Meanwhile, CNAO Lelita G. Navarez of Ozamiz City reported the quarterly trend since 2021. Likewise, the Ozamiz City LNEWS Core Group and the respective Household Data Collectors provided recommendations to improve the food and nutrition security in their locality.
Both LGUs plan to fast-track the reorganization and reactivation of their LNEWS Core Group to ensure timely analysis of data and formulation of interventions to address food and nutrition security concerns.
To seek support for the program, CNAO Navarez will advocate the importance of LNEWS and other nutrition programs to the newly-elected City Mayor Atty. Henry “Indy” Oaminal, Jr. and the City Nutrition Committee members. On the other hand, Bonifacio Municipal Nutrition Office will conduct advocacy meetings with the Barangay Nutrition Committees to include nutrition in their priority programs including the procurement of measuring equipment in the 2023 budget allocation.
DMO II Damiles emphasized that the first 1000 days must be included in the LGUs’ priority programs to address malnutrition. She added that the campaign for exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary feeding must be strengthened and intensified.
Moreover, DMO II Damiles stressed that the LNEWS-FNS system is designed to help the LGUs detect food and nutrition security problems in the locality. With the gathered data, LGUs can formulate appropriate courses of action in response to encountered food and nutrition security concerns.
To achieve zero hunger and malnutrition, NNC appeals to the LGUs to include nutrition in their priority programs and advocates to integrate nutrition programs including LNEWS-FNS activities in their local development plans. (Development Management Officer II Arlie Joy O. Damiles / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 09631090198)
