SOCCSKSARGEN---National Nutrition Council XII held its first Nutrition Conference for the Empowerment of Youth Leaders in collaboration with the Regional Sangguniang Kabataan Federation. The activity was conducted on July 25 at Villa Amor Hotel, Koronadal City attended by the Sangguniang Kabataan Officers of 45 Municipalities and 4 Cities.
This activity aims to mobilize the youth leaders to specifically generate support through advocacy and information dissemination on the First 1000 Days of Life, good nutrition, achieving a healthy lifestyle, and lobbying for legislation on the adoption of nutrition supportive policies. It is also directed at increasing support through allocating resources for Nutrition programs, projects, and activities and working closely with the Local Nutrition Committee’s Actions in Scaling Up Nutrition.
Topics covered for this one-day activity include Roles and Functions of SK Officers by Jon Leo Licayan, Local Government Operations Officer V of DILG XII, and NNC Overview and PPAN by NO III Annalita Mae Flores. Ms. Jessen T. Masukat, Nutritionist-Dietitian IV of DOH XII discussed the Optimum Nutrition in the First 1000 Days while City Population Officer of LGU Koronadal City, Ms. Janet T. Demonteverde tackled Nutrition for Adolescents.
Strengthening Partnership with Youth Leaders was further reinforced through the emphasis on Scaling Up Nutrition Movement by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Retsebeth Laquihon. Opportunities for Nutrition Engagement through an open forum and re-entry planning followed the technical sessions.
In a Closing Remarks, the Regional SK Federation President, Hon. John Salvador Demdam thanked NNC and DILG for this unique opportunity to be involved in Nutrition. He also urged his co-officers, being the instruments of youth sector empowerment, that perhaps this activity will not be the end of their commitments, but rather the start of a strengthened partnership to be more engaged in improving the region's nutrition situation. (DMO II Aurel/NO III Flores/RNPC)
