Region X

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 18 July 2013

June 27-28 The National Nutrition Council in collaboration with Metals Industry Research and Development Center of the Department Of Science And Technology (MIRDC-DOST) conducted the 7^th and 8^th batch of the nationwide one day competency training for Mindanao regions held at Phil town Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. The training on verification of wooden height boards and weighing scales provide the LGU based nutrition workers with the knowledge and skills to ensure accurate and quality measuring equipment. Participants who attended the training included the District Nutrition Program coordinators (DNPCs), City Nutrition Program Coordinators (CNPs) of highly urbanized and independent cities and related workers from 22 Provinces (Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte and Sur, Misamis Occidental and Oriental, Davao Oriental,del Norte and Sur, Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Agusan del Norte and Sur, Surigao del Norte and Sur, and Dinagat Island) and 5 cities (Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Cotabato, General Santos and Butuan) in Mindanao which was divided into 2 batches. These trained participants are now responsible for the regular checking of wooden height boards and weighing scales and will ensure that height boards are fabricated strictly based on the NNCs Guidelines on the Fabrication, Verification and Maintenance of wooden Height Board.

This training was conceptualized to support 2 resolution approved and adopted by the National Nutrition Council Governing Board, NNC GB Resolution No 2, S. 2008 “Adoption of the New WHO child Growth standards for Use for Children 0-5 years Old in the Philippines” and, NNC GB Resolution No 3, S. 2012 “Approving the Guidelines on the Fabrication, Maintenance and Verification of Wooden Height boards and weighing scales. The expertise of DOST-MIRDC through its resource speakers Engr. Rommel N Corona and Engr. Arlene G. Estacio and the capacity building provided by the National Nutrition Council for nutrition workers at sub national level allows this partnership to assist LGUs in the implementation of these nutrition policies.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 06 August 2013

To continue creating greater awareness on current nutrition issues in celebrating Nutrition Month 2013, back to back activities were pursued by the National Nutrition Council Region X guided by the theme “Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan!”

Region wide hanging of streamers were spotted by the first day of July to signal the start of the month long event was the worth to mention, motorcade pursued by CDO, attendance of NOIII Helen Alferez of NNC X to the PAN convention and FNRI seminar series and RNPC Zenaida T. Tondares attendance to the internal conference on Eco-nutrition held at UPLB Los Baños. The NNC X also convened a NM 2013 media conference in coordination with Philippine Information Agency X in partnership with our Media Advocate for Nutrition in GOvernance (MANGO 10) partner at VIP Hotel Cagayan de Oro City last 8 July 2013. Regional Nutrition Situation 2013 of Region X was also presented to the group. Battles of questions were aired by the media during the plenary session with NPC Zenaida T. Tondares of NNC X and the RNC X focal persons who constitute the panel. Government Agencies including the schools, NGO partners and the Local Government Units supported the annual celebration of Nutrition Month : (1) Launching of NM 2013 in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City – 5 July 2013, (2) Radyo Medico on-air interview about NM theme at Magnum Radio Station, CDO – July 5,2013, (3) Nutrition Assessment and Counselling at NEDA X office led by Ms Remy Montaño,RND of Lourdes College – July 8, 2013, (4) Outreach Feeding Program for the abandoned children under the custody of DSWD X as sponsored by the Masonic Lodge of CDO No. 298,F.&A.M – July 13,2013, and (5) 35th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) – July 17.

The dissemination of the DILG and the DepEd circulars to local government Units and public elementary schools, and availability of Nutrition Month talking points and collateral materials through the NNC website contributed to the regional success of the celebration. Activities in Region X were also sealed with the commitments and pledges to end hunger and malnutrition by various stakeholders as the region aid in doing its simple culminating during the P/CNAOs and DNPCs meeting at Deluxe Hotel last 31 July 2013.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 25 October 2013

National Nutrition Council Region X conducted a 4 days live-in training on Mobilizing Community Support for IYCF 1st batch for P1, P2 and P3 Provinces and cities at Apple tree Resort and Hotel, Taboc Opol Misamis Oriental last 15-18 October 2013. Participants were the PGN IYCF-PSN trained P/C/MHOs and NAOs, Nurses, Midwives and Nutritionist since 2007 from Provinces of Bukidnon and Mismais Occidental , City of Malaybalay, Ozamiz and Iligan and Municipalities of Manolo Fortich , Libona, Don Carlos, Baroy Lanao del Norte and Maramag. Ms Raquel Buere, Nutrition Officer II and hands on IYCF Coordinator from Naga City were invited to facilitate the training with Ms Helen G Alferez, Nutrition Officer III, from NNC X. A lot of Sharing of Expertise and experiences in handling peer counsellor and Community support group happen between the participants and facilitator which aim to mobilized PC and community support group for the success of implementing the IYCF program.

Regional Director Aristides Concepcion Tan of CHD-DOH X congratulates the participants and stress out to them the importance of breastfeeding in the first 1000 days of the child in his message during the closing program of the 1^st batch. This stage is a “window of oppurtunity as it depends on it the future health and nutrition of a child” RD Tan added. After the training, community nutrition workers need to coordinate down to the Barangay level as what RD Tan challege them to do.

This training focuses mainly on the 8 steps on how to mobilize community support for infant and young child feeding to strengthen the campaign, protection and promotion of breastfeeding and correct, timely and adequate complementary feeding for 0-24 month’s old children and beyond. It is seen that mobilizing additional community support for IYCF is very important because it spells out also additional success on IYCF program.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 30 September 2013

To continue enhance the capacity of nutrition workers at the local level, National Nutrition Council Region X conducted a 5 days training on Nutrition Program Management (NPM) for Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers and the members of Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Committees of Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin Provinces; Cities of Cagayan de Oro, El Salvador, Gingoog, and Tangub and; Selected Municipalities of Misamis Oriental last August 19-23, 2013 held at Ballroom, Philtown Hotel Cagyan de Oro City. Priority 4 areas (Province of Misamis Oriental) and newly designated NAOs were given priority to join the training. A total of 25 participants attended the training facilitated by Ms Zenaida T Tondares - NPC, NNC X, Mr. Jake D. Dumangon – MNAO, Kadingilan Bukidnon, Mr. Mark Lacuesta – Instructor, Lourdes College, CDO, Ms Girly O Barcenas – PNAO, Misamis Oriental and Ms Maria Eluna Chavez – MNAO, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

As part of the capacity building, each participant were given a Trainer’s manual on NPM developed by the IHNF, UPLB commissioned by the National Nutrition Council to enable all Local Government Units to effectively and efficiently manage their local nutrition programs and to be their guide in conducting LGU-supported trainings on NPM for their local nutrition workers, members of the nutrition committee and other stakeholders on how to plan, implement, coordinate, monitor, evaluate and sustained existing nutrition programs to improve the nutrition situation in their respective areas.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 29 November 2013

Assistant Secretary of Health and Executive Director IV Maria Bernardita T Flores of the National Nutrition Council led the unannounced monitoring of Radyo Kalilang at Kalilangan, Bukidnon last 29-31 October 2013 with Mr Ralph Calucag, Nutrition Officer II, Nutrition Information and Education Department, NNC. The team scheduled an unannounced monitoring visit to the station as part of their regular activity in Nutrition Community Radio Project.

The team and NNC X Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms Zenaida T. Tondares get a chance to meet the Municipal Mayor, Honorable Omaradji C. Pizarro together with the newly designated Radio Station Manager Ms. Astra Shayne P. Barreno and able to discussed issues and the result of the monitoring visit. Recommendations and insights of the visit were the following:

Reorganized the community Radio Council and Radio Station Personnel by issuance of executive order.
Organized hands-on Training for newly designate station personnel care of NNC central Office
Develop new programming to replace former broadcasters and to minimize total hours of airing authorized by NTC.
Conduct meeting of station personnel once a week to monitor operations of the radio stations.
Recruit students as potential radio talents e.g. production of plugs.

Radyo Kalilang Community Radio Station in Kalilangan, Bukidnon was part of the first phase Community Radio Station implemented by the NNC in 2008. It is one of the 5 Radio Station established under the partnership of their respective LGUs.

Nutriskwela Community Radio aims to empower the community through the dissemination of correct, relevant and up-to-date nutrition and health information, as well as educational and developmental information from all relevant sectors of the community, government agencies, and non-government organizations.

Details: Category: Region 10; Published: 30 September 2013

2-6 September 2013 – Training of Trainers on the Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars was successfully conducted by the National Nutrition Council Region X at Phil town Hotel Cagayan de Oro City. It is for trainers and supervisors of the BNSs, primarily the NAOs and D/CNPCs from the Provinces of Misamis Occidenta and Oriental, Cities of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, , El Salvador,Malaybalay and Valencia, Municipalities of Manolo Fortich and Malitbog Bukidnon, Salay, Opol, Initao, Libertad, Naawan and Lagonglong Misamis Oriental. A Total of 36 participants attended the 5 days live-in training facilitated by Ms Helen G Alferez – NOIII, NNC X, Ms Lelita G Navarez – CNAO, Ozamiz City and Ms Marites A Gomez – NOII, Misamis Oriental.

The Training aims to educate the supervisors of BNSs defenitly the NAOs and DNPCs of what are their roles in the barangay nutrition program management to respond to their expected output as community nutrition workers.

The training of trainers on the Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars was one of the capacity buildings given to the provincial, City and Municipal nutrition workers to continue inspire the BNSs to work for their community to improve the nutritional status of families. Continuing enhancing the knowledge of our BNSs is what makes them unique as community workers.