5 December 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) X visited the City of Oroquieta to conduct an advocacy meeting with the City Nutrition Committee (CNC) last 16 November 2022 at City Library, Town Center, Oroquieta City. A total of 20 CNC members attended the meeting led by Oroquieta City Mayor Lemuel Meyrick M. Acosta and Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Chair on Health & CNC Vice Chair Dr. Arthur Q. Enanoria.
City Nutrition Program Coordinator (CNPC) Lady Cindy E. Japus presented the current nutrition situation of the city and the 2022 initial accomplishments. She highlighted that the prevalence rate of underweight, stunting, and wasting among preschool children increased in the past three (3) years.
Proceeding, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Gladys Mae S. Fernandez discussed about the NNC and the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). Meanwhile, Development Management Officer (DMO) II Arlie Joy O. Damiles emphasized the role and functions of the Local Nutrition Committee. She also discussed the importance of investing in nutrition particularly in the First 1000 Days of life to achieve positive nutrition outcomes.
Further, RNPC Fernandez stressed the crucial role of human resources in the implementation of the nutrition program. Likewise, she lobbied for the appointment of the City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) and additional nutrition staff. SP Chair on Health & CNC Vice Chair Dr. Enanoria said that the city is already preparing for the endorsement of the resolution creating a plantilla position of Nutrition Officer I for CNAO.
Under the leadership of City Mayor Acosta, Oroquieta City Nutrition Committee is positioned to move towards a sustainable nutrition program. To do so, one of the actions that the SP will take is to pass a resolution for Punong Barangays and Sangguniang Kabataan to allocate budgets for nutrition education activities. Likewise, an ordinance integrating nutrition education in all City Government activities that would cater the vulnerable groups will be drafted.
To strengthen the nutrition program down to the barangay level, the CNC members plan to provide technical assistance to Barangay Nutrition Committees for the reorganization and/or reactivation of committees and formulation of the Barangay Nutrition Action Plan (BNAP).
Another challenge that the city encountered is the fall-outs of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs). To secure the tenure of the BNSs, Mayor Acosta committed increasing the BNS honoraria within his term and include PhilHealth as one of their benefits. Further, an Executive Order or Memorandum approving the appointment of additional ten (10) BNSs for highly populated barangays will be issued. In addition, a series of training will be conducted to capacitate the BNSs.
In his response, CNC Vice Chair Dr. Enanoria expressed his appreciation for all the efforts of the City Nutrition Office led by CNPC Japus and CNC members to improve the city's nutrition situation.
Moreover, Mayor Acosta together with the CNC members pledged their full support to the nutrition program. He said, “As we work together, the City Government of Oroquieta is committed to do our part to improve the present situation.”
Despite the challenge, as the city ranked first in all indicators of malnutrition among nine (9) cities of the region, Mayor Acosta is optimistic that there will be an improvement in the coming years and that they will definitely achieve what they envisioned for Oroquieta. All their efforts are geared towards providing a better quality of life for all Oroquietanons. (Development Management Officer II Arlie Joy O. Damiles / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 09631090198)
