Region X

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 04 March 2016

Lanao del Norte is hammering out efforts to ensure nutrition improvement in the Province by strengthening the BNS Program. A total of 40 new BNSs attended the two batches of Training on the Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars conducted by the Provincial Government last February 17-24, 2016 at the Mindanao Civic Center, Tubod Lanao del Norte. The conduct of the training realizes the commitment of Governor Mohammed Khalid Q. Dimaporo in sustaining proper nutrition among children and vulnerable groups.

During the training, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jamaica Dimaporo Umpa in her message pointed out that it is high time for the Province to put in place a good nutrition program in an attempt to address nutrition problems of the Province and delist LDN municipalities from the top nutritionally depressed municipalities in the region. An orientation on Nutrition in Emergencies was integrated during the training as part of their Provincial Nutrition Cluster’s NiEm initiatives.

Among the most critical initiatives of the Provincial Government towards nutrition improvement already put in place are: formulation of the Province Nutrition Action Plan, Re-activation and Re-organization of the Provincial Nutrition Committee, creation of the Provincial Nutrition Cluster, designation of new Provincial Nutrition Action Officer and Nutrition Program Coordinators and training of new BNSs.

The Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team is set to visit the Province of Lanao del Norte this year to monitor and provide technical assistance on nutrition program management. srdc

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 02 March 2016

The Valencia City Nutrition Committee (CNC) facilitated the conduct of a three-day training on Peer Counselling for Infant and Young Child Feeding. Ms. Raquel Buere, City Nutrition Program Coordinator of Naga City, served as the lead facilitator assisted by Nutrition Officer I of NNC X Princess Christine Daliva. Naga City is a Nutrition Honor Awardee and is considered as one of the best implementers of the IYCF Program.

A total of 31 mother volunteers who are members of the Barangay Breastfeeding Support Groups of the City participated in the training held on February 22-24, 2016 at CAP Auditorium, Valencia City. Funded by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the conduct of the training is part of the implementation of the Nutrition in Emergencies Plan developed and adopted by the CNC last year.

Valencia City Mayor and CNC Chairperson Azucena P. Huervas led the “Panaad sa Peer Counselor” or Pledge of Commitment of the IYCF Peer Counselors which was the highlight of the training. To ensure the effective and sustained implementation of the IYCF Program, the trained Breastfeeding Support Group plans to organize themselves into a federation.

In her closing message, Mayor Huervas expressed her continued support to the City’s nutrition program with special focus on IYCF as a pro-active measure to prevent all forms of malnutrition. pgd

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 03 February 2016

The Association of Local Salt Producers of Barangay Sinaloc, El Salvador City was recently organized in an effort of the City Nutrition Office to help fight iodine deficiency disorder and ensure compliance to the provisions of RA 8172 or the Asin Law.

The formal organization was done during the assembly of the 33 local salt producers of Barangay Sinaloc convened by the City Nutrition Office last January 29. Facilitated by City Nutrition Action Officer Elma M. Clapano, the assembly aimed at increasing the awareness of the local salt producers on the Asin Law and orient the local salt producers on their role in the implementation of the law and in the Saktong Iodine sa Asin campaign. Both the law and the campaign advocates for the proper iodization of salt for human and animal consumption.

An election of the association officers highlighted the assembly. Mr. Felix Amilao was elected President while the other elected officers include Rolando Avila, Vice-President; Gerly Oblimar, Secretary; Bonifacia Maglangit, Treasurer; Edwin Samijon and Mr. Alain Bayer, Public Information Officers.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 26 February 2016

2016 Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team members together with RNC Chairperson Dir. Nimfa Torrizo of DOH RO X The Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) of region 10 set its schedule for Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and Search for the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS) in the region during its first quarter meeting on 11 February 2016.

Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo in her presence during the meeting said that these efforts are part of the nutrition millennium development goals of the government in its anti-hunger and anti-poverty alleviation.

She said that the DOH is in full support to the National Nutrition Council (NNC). She stressed that NNC together with the Technical Working Group from the different national government agencies must work together in a holistic and team approach to attain its goal of better health outcome.

Shiella Rose D. Cuñada, Nutrition Officer II of NNC X explained the processes and tools to be used by the team in Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and Search for the Regional Outstanding Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS) set this year.

One of the guidelines or score sheets for evaluation of provincial/city nutrition programs is program efficiency where the team will rate a province, municipality or barangay based on nutrition program efficiency. This includes planning and implementation such as involvement of agencies, local departments, organizations in the formulation of Nutrition Action Plan as well as provincial, city ordinances, resolutions supportive to the Nutrition Action Program passed.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 28 January 2016

A strategy for nutrition improvement in Northern Mindanao proposed by the Regional Nutrition Committee X recently gained the support of the Regional Development Council X.

RDC X Executive Committee Resolution No.9 (s.2015) “Supporting the Guidelines on Local Government Units Mobilization for Nutrition Improvement in Northern Mindanao” was approved by RDC X Chairperson and Lanao del Norte Governor Hon. Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo. Upon recommendation of the Social Development Committee, RDC X enjoins all concerned stakeholders and LGUs to support the strategy that will introduce a “mentoring approach” to focus on LGUs with lagging nutrition targets and at the same time sustain the gains in nutrition for relatively good performing LGUs. Good performing LGUs in Northern Mindanao are those recipients of the Nutrition Honor Award, the highest award in nutrition given by NNC Governing Board. These are the Province of Bukidnon and municipalities of Quezon, Libona, Don Carlos and Kadingilan and the Cities of Malaybalay and Ozamiz.

The strategy implementation will involve “on-site and on-line” peer mentoring approach where the NHA awardees, through their respective Local Nutrition Committees, will be mobilized as team of mentors and catalysts for improved nutrition program management. Facebook will be used as a platform for continued and sustained mentoring, technical assistance and monitoring of performance.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 19 February 2016

The DOH-NNC X team up is focused on the “Promote Good Nutrition” under the ambit of “Go Sustansya”. The Department of Health RO X, with its continuous advocacy in promoting healthy lifestyle, spearheaded a region wide movement on Adolescent Health Advocates or “AHA for Go4Health”. The Movement involves advocacy and promotion activities among adolescents in selected schools encompassing the “Go Sigla”, “Go Smoke Free”, “Go Slow sa Tagay”, and “Go Sustansya”.

The DOH-NNC X team up is focused on the “Promote Good Nutrition” under the ambit of “Go Sustansya”. This aims to increase the level of awareness among students and adolescents on the benefits of good nutrition coupled with regular physical activity as a way of encouraging them to practice both as a way of life.

Macasandig National High School and St. Mary’s School in Cagayan de Oro City served as the pilot areas representing the government and private schools, respectively. During the advocacy activity, DOH RO-X ARD Adriano Suba-an led the mass recitation of the 10 Kumainments and emphasized in his speech the importance of following the Kumainments. On the other hand, NNC-X undertook nutrition education sessions and group counseling to the 53 students assessed to be underweight, overweight and obese. Both activities were highlighted by a nutri quiz and a cooking demonstration of Healthy “MMK Munchkins”. The activities culminated with a signing of commitment among school officials and personnel as “AHA for Go4Health School” - a place where the promotion of healthy lifestyle is a priority.