Cebu City – In his opening message during the 3^rd Quarter Cebu Municipal Nutrition Action officers (MNAO) Meeting held on 27 August 2014, Dr. Shelbay G. Blanco of Boljoon said that being an MNAO is a big challenge not just for him but also for all the officers since there is still a lot to be done in the nutrition program. He added that it is his job as president to coordinate with all the municipal nutrition action officers especially in terms of nutrition program planning because as action officers they are also managers of the nutrition program.

Dr. Blanco was elected as the new President of MNAO Association of Cebu province during an election held recently. He replaced Dr. Sheila C. Faciol of Pinamungajan after the latter completed her two year term. Other voted officers for FY 2014-2015 are: Dr. Jenina Lape (Balamban) - Vice President; Dr. Christopher Amit (Oslob) – Secretary, Dr. Michelle Anne Recto-Dagoy (Barili) – Treasurer. Press Relations Officers are: Drs. Joseph Tiu (Talisay), Rowelle Repollo (Balamban), Jonathan Tanduyan (Alcantara) and Oliver Aliño (Tabogon).

When asked about his expectations towards his co-officers, he answered, “Since it’s a big challenge I need their support and cooperation so that the nutrition program in the province of Cebu will be enhanced.” Boljoon’s Municipal Health Officer also said that for the improvement of the nutrition status among Filipinos, his main goal is to strengthen the local nutrition committees as well as to promote good nutrition in any way possible. He opined that nutrition is being neglected among local government units. So in order to help solve the problem, their association should be strong, hold meetings regularly and continuously promote and advocate for the nutrition program.

This Master of Public Health candidate reminded all the officers that “As part of the MNAO Association, we should be united because no man is an island and without unity no program would prosper. We also need to harmonize all our efforts in order to reach our goal of improving the nutrition situation of Cebu province. Finally, we need to have a good working relationship with our local executives to get his/her support for the nutrition program”, the young Dr. Blanco concluded. //Glomel Jane Sanchez, CTU DevCom Intern