November 11, 2021 – Kalonbarak Skyline Ridge, Malungon Sarangani Province. National Nutrition Council (NNC) Regional Office XII thru Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Retsebeth M. Laquihon and Nutrition Officer III Ms. Annalita Mae V. Flores served as panelist and reactors during the Municipal Nutrition Strategy Planning Workshop conducted by Zuellig Family Foundation with Municipal Nutrition Committee Members of Malungon, Sarangani Province.

Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) in partnership with the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation (KGJF) is currently implementing the Provincial Nutrition and Governance Program (PNGP) with the Province of Sarangani. The PNGP aims to improve the health and nutritional outcomes for women and children by strengthening provincial nutrition and health systems and developing the nutrition governance capabilities of provinces and its seven municipalities. The above-mentioned activity is the first step of the project.

Municipality of Malungon being conferred as the National Honor Awardee- the highest form of award for nutrition has been piloted and will serve as model LGU in the province. Malungon shall set standards for other LGUs to achieve the health and nutrition outcomes especially for the first 1000 days population group.

The said workshop was graced by the ever-dynamic Municipal Mayor, Hon. Maria Theresa D. Constantino. She expressed her thanks to ZFF, NNC and DOH Provincial Office for always treating Malungon with highest regard and for the support and technical assistance for the continuous pursuit of excellence for the nutrition program of the Local Government of Malungon.

The one-day comprehensive workshop of the MNC provided an avenue for the members to assess their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) during the planning process for Nutrition Action Plans and implementation of services and interventions.

RNPC Laquihon emphasized the need to scale-up in the management of the Nutrition Program of the Municipality as a model LGU not only in the region but in the whole country. She further elaborated that the existing programs, projects and activities of malungon were already proven as effective and is prevalent with the sustained decrease in the malnutrition problem of the Municipality contributing to the improvement of the Nutritional Status of the Province and region. The Municipality must focus on strengthening other areas for sustainability and improvement such as Nutrition Information System, Institutionalization of programs, strengthened policy support to PPAN and established Nutrition Office with plantilla positions for Nutrition Officers and Nutrition Coordinators.

NO III Flores supported the proposal of MNC to revisit their existing policy on the protection of BNSs from political issues and further encouraged the LGU to be an adopter of Technology from FNRI-DOSTs complementary food production and E-Nutribun to sustain their feeding programs and to served also as a resource generation activity.

Provincial DOH through Ms. Jenelyn Ellie Ventura Development Management Officer commended the LGU in all its undertakings and milestones on nutrition and health services. She then committed to always support the LGU in its plans and projects.

The same workshop will be conducted to other LGUs too in 2022 and NNC shall continue to support and provide technical assistance as needed.

(NOIIIAMVF/RNPCRML)