The Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNCs) of Kidapawan City were capacitated for effective and sound implementation and management of their nutrition programs on June 15-16 at City Health Office Conference Room, Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province.

The City Nutrition Office (CNO), in collaboration with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Regional Office XII, provides training to eight (8) barangays in Kidapawan City, consisting of Barangay Kagawad on Health and Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) in managing their Barangay Nutrition Program through organizing their BNC, formulating an effective mission and vision statements, and developing their causal model. Assigned Rural Health Midwives of the respective barangays were also present during the two-day training.

Members of the City Nutrition Committee (CNC), which included representatives from the City Agriculture Office, City Health Office, Department of Education, and With Love Jan Foundation, Inc., were also present.

Nerissa Dinah Fe Paalan, MD, Assistant City Health Officer welcomes the participants and hopes for productive activity and that the trainers’ expertise will help the BNCs in formulating an effective and efficient Barangay Nutrition Action Plan.

The 2-day training also cover topics on the following: Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, BNC roles and functions in the management of the Nutrition Program at the Barangay, BNC functionality checklist, phases of nutrition program management, introduction to BNAP, vision-mission formulation, causal model, nutrition interventions, work and financial plan, and monitoring and evaluation.

The said activity were facilitated by NOII Leah Fe Utlang and NOI Ruby Ann Laurito from NNC XII and NDII Alexus Jane Malaluan of DOH-CHD XII.

Lanie Espina, City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) of the said town, expressed her profound gratitude for the active involvement and cooperation of the LNC members. (NOILaurito/NOIIIFlores/RNPCLaquihon)