23 March 2021, Davao City – The Regional Nutrition Cluster of Davao Region conducted its first virtual meeting for the year. The meeting aims to update the members and sustain the coordination among member agencies, despite restrictions in physical and face to face contacts.
“While we pray that no emergencies or disasters shall arise, we still have to strengthen our connection so that the nutrition sector will be well-prepared for any emergencies or disasters that may occur.” Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson said during her Welcome Message.
Among the matters discussed in the meeting were the six (6) newly approved Regional Nutrition Committee Resolutions, with emphasis on the two (2) resolutions relevant to Nutrition in Emergencies: 1. RNC Resolution No. 5 s. 2020: “Resolution Adopting the National Policy on Nutrition Management in Emergencies and Disasters”; and 2. RNC Resolution No. 6 s. 2020: “Organizing the Nutrition Clusters at the Regional and Local Levels to Manage Nutrition Interventions during Emergencies and Disasters in Davao Region.” The NNC XI secretariat informed the group that these resolutions are all ready for download from the NNC XI Official webpage and requested for the members to use and disseminate these resolutions to partners as basis for any actions relative to nutrition in emergencies.
2021 Regional Nutrition Cluster proposed activities were also discussed. NPC Dr. Ungson facilitated the discussion on proposed activities of the Nutrition Cluster in 2021. She explained that the group, with assistance from the NNC XI secretariat will conduct dissemination of advisories to LGUs and partner agencies via email and social media e.g. FB and conduct technical assistance to LGUs for the creation of their respective Local Nutrition Cluster and other concerns on NIE through text, phone call and email. NNC XI secretariat is also requesting monthly submission of Nutrition actions done in response to COVID-19 crisis of member agencies, for consolidation and submission to NNC Central Office. NPC Dr. Ungson further explained that there are 2 target meetings for this year plus additional special meetings, should there be any emergencies or disasters that will occur from March to December 2021.
Other proposed activities that were discussed were the Virtual Training on NIE+IM for LGUs and Nutrition Cluster members that were still not trained on NIE+IM and the formulation of the Regional Nutrition Cluster response and recovery plan on NIE, for action and further discussion of the RNC chair and members. NO I Charlaine Jickain discussed a brief background and the objectives of the virtual training, which was targeted to be conducted on August 2021. Target participants are NIEM implementers of LGUs such as the NAOs, DRRM Officer, Health Officer, Social Work, Nutrition Officer/ Staff Regional Nutrition Cluster members.
Finally, NPC Dr. Ungson presented and discussed the 2021 Nutrition Month Campaign Strategy with the theme: “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 Days tutukan”. She discussed the rationale behind the theme and its objectives. She then requested the member agencies to conduct activities that will increase understanding of PPAN and first 1000 days, facilitate collaboration among stakeholders and generate interactions among stakeholders relative to the nutrition month campaign. She assured the group that the NNC XI Secretariat will disseminate all material relative to the 2021 Nutrition Month Campaign via the official webpage and Facebook account.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Regional Nutrition Cluster XI member agencies: DOLE XI, DILG XI, FDA XI, DOH-CHD XI, DENR-PFMS Division XI, DBM XI, DSWD-SFP XI, DTI XI, NCMF XI, PIA XI, Deped XI , University of Immaculate Conception, Ateneo De Davao University and NNC XI Staff. /AET
