29 September 2020 – NNC Davao Region conducted a virtual meeting to monitor the implementation of Local Nutrition Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security (LNEWS-FNS) among the LNEWS-FNS areas of Davao Region and to share updates relative to the implementation and use of LNEWS-FNS. The meeting was attended by representatives from Panabo City and Municipality of Pantukan, Davao de Oro, and presided by OIC-NO III Alona E. Teo.

It was established during the meeting that apart from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, other challenges that impedes the smooth implementation of LNEWS-FNS at the local level is the transfer of staff who were previously trained and identified as members of the LNEWS Core Group and data collectors in their respective sentinel barangays. In the interim, the functions of these LNEWS members and data collectors were assumed by the nutrition staff of the LGU. It was suggested that a reorientation and re-training be conducted for the new staff who will be identified as members of the LNEWS Core Group and re-issue an Executive Order or local ordinance to support the reorganization of the LNEWS Core Group of these LGUs. The NNC Regional LNEWS secretariat noted their request and suggested for these LGUs to submit formal letter of request for the re-training and reorientation and committed to facilitate the requested orientation and trainings. The NNC Regional LNEWS secretariat also offered their assistance in the drafting of Executive Order or local ordinance.

The NNC Regional LNEWS secretariat also informed the group of the upcoming Regional LNEWS-FNS Program Implementation Review (PIR) to be conducted in the fourth quarter of this year. This is to prepare the regional LNEWS areas for the said PIR. Among the actions requested as part of preparation were to prepare presentation of LNEWS data collection results, fill up forms/workshop templates in advance; and prepare documentation of good practices in the implementation and use of LNEWS-FNS in their respective areas.