Iloilo City- With 30 participants, a Nutrition Program Management Training was conducted by National Nutrition Council (NNC), Region VI at Punta Villa Resort, Iloilo City last August 18-22, 2014. The participants were members of the Municipal Nutrition Committees (MNCs) who composed of Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, Municipal Health Officers, Municipal Planning Development Coordinators, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers, and Municipal Agriculturists of the municipalities of Alimodian, Badiangan, Lambunao, Leon, Sta. Barbara and Tigbauan from the Province of Iloilo, Don Salvador Benedicto and Valladolid of Negros Occidental, as well as Numancia of Aklan.

The five-day training was conducted to enhance the capacity of local nutrition workers to effectively and efficiently manage their local nutrition programs. The set of modules used included how to improve local nutrition committees, formulate action plans, ensure effectiveness and efficiency of plan implementation, monitor progress and evaluate outputs on set targets. Participants undergone through a series of topic discussion and group participation through workshops.

Each participants received a Trainer's Manual on Nutrition Program Management for Local Government Units (LGUs). The Trainer's Manual aims to provide a guide for the local trainers in the conduct of LGU-supported training on NPM. The information contained in the manual is a powerful tool for LGUs to solve malnutrition and hunger within the context of local governance and development.

Evaluation of the training showed that 13 (43.3%) rated excellent and 17 (56.7%) rated very good for the overall outcome of training. Participants expressed appreciation and enhancement of their knowledge, skills and values on managing their local nutrition programs.

As an output, participants submitted a draft of three-year Local Nutrition Action Plan (LNAP) 2014-2016.