SOCCSKSARGEN—The National Nutrition Council XII is now working for the regional implementation of the Nutrition Shepherding Project.  NNC has come up with key processes and strategies for establishing or adopting the Nutrition Shepherding Project, cognizant of the need for closer monitoring and mentoring of local nutrition committees. Nutrition Shepherding is a platform that involves guiding and mentoring low performing LGUs by a regional nutrition shepherding team to enhance their knowledge and skills on nutrition program management.

In Region XII, two (2) LGUs were identified for shepherding namely, Antipas of Cotabato Province and Sen. Ninoy Aquino of Sultan Kudarat Province. Identified areas were guided with the following criteria: PPAN Priority Area, LGUs with prevalence rates of stunting higher than the regional prevalence using the latest OPT Plus results or with high level of public health significance for stunting, LGUs with an overall MELLPI Pro score of below 80% interpreted as  not able to deliver quality nutrition programs or with inefficient nutrition program management and LGUs with a score of below 60% in any of following dimensions of the MELLPI Pro.

Recently, the team headed to Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat (March 22) and Antipas, Cotabato (March 23) for the initial coordination with the Local Chief Executives and selected MNC members with the aims to secure agreement and engagement of the identified LGUs. The project will run for 10 sessions (face-to-face and virtual) following the seven (7) steps of the implementation, with the guidance and support of the Regional Shepherding Team.

(NO II Aurel/NO III Flores/RNPC)