The Local Nutrition Early Warning System - Food and Nutrition Security (LNEWS-FNS) Program is one of the activity and data sources of the Philippine Nutrition Surveillance System (PNSS) of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). The said program aims to understand the causes and seasonality of malnutrition. It also enhances knowledge and skills in data collection, analysis and interpretation, and data utilization for nutrition program planning and decision-making. The said program was established in 4 areas in the region namely Bago City, La Ca Carlota City and Sagay City in Negros Occidental and Passi City in Iloilo.
Sagay City, Negros Occidental: Consequently, the National Nutrition Council Region VI conducted the on-site monitoring of the LNEWS-FNS Program in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on June 15, 2022. The monitoring was conducted by NO I Romela Dee Candoliza, NOI Nelin Jean Emboltura, and PNFP Joyce Faith Espanola. CNAO Mary Visie Tajanlangit presented the data of CY 2021 4th quarter and the 2022 1st quarter together with LNEWS Member CPDO Leo Se A. Duran, the City Nutrition Staff, and BNSes from sentinel barangays. The results showed the foods less consumed were roots and tubers and there is a fluctuation percentage of exclusive breastfeeding. Hence, the LNEWS-FNS Core team is planning to include the less consumed foods in processing local produced products and strengthen their nutrition behavioral education to maintain a high percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in their city.
La Carlota City, Negros Occidental: CNPC Neil Anthony Famillaran presented their LNEWS-FNS data together with Dr. Rommel R. Sabig, CHO/CNAO, and Mr. Jose Ainar T. Arnol, CPDO. The tool showed that one barangay has no data and upon looking into the details provided by the core group, it was found out that Barangay La Granja experienced an unexpected encounter with NPA. The LGU took immediate action by sending goods to aid all the families affected by the said encounter. The City Nutrition Committee planned to intensify the nutrition education, IYCF, and activate the EBF peer-group per barangay to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate of their city.
Bago City, Negros Occidental: The City of Bago City used the LNEWS data gathered from sentinel barangays as part of the City Nutrition Action Plan formulation. There are zero forms of malnutrition in sentinel barangays and BNSes from barangay Ma-ao and Poblacion shared their BNC good practices in ensuring their goal of food secure and malnutrition-free barangay. CNAO Ferdinand Mayorga also highlighted that they included the adoption of the LNEWS-FNS Program in their Devolution transition plan in all barangays. He also mentioned including the “one product one barangay” program on their LIPH and LNAP. Currently, the core group focus is the repair of the rain gauge in order to get a local measurement of rainfall. The onslaught of typhoon Odette damaged the said gauge and destruction of crops and rice fields. Hence, the LGU provided aid to all families whose livelihood and houses were destroyed.
Passi City, Negros Occidental: The Passi City Core group was present during the monitoring visit; the meeting was presided over by CNAO Dr. Melven Oyad. CNPC Nepchie Pamplona cited some good practices in implementing the LNEWS-FNS Program such as capacitating the BNSes, revival of communal gardens, partnering with LGU’s initiative program: STEPHEN (Sustainable Technology Ecological Preservation and Horticultural Encouragement), and BNC support for a more positive result. Consequently, the City of Passi acquired a high percentage (67.7 %) of exclusive breastfeeding in the 1st quarter of 2022 and most of the sentinel barangays have a resolution on LNEWS-FNS Program. The City Nutrition Committee/ LNEWS Core group diligently doing their best in delivering all nutrition programs effectively and set a plan to have a refresher session about the LNEWS-FNS Program in the next couple of months.
