Cebu City – In recognition of their invaluable contribution to the nutrition program and acknowledging the need to capacitate them for better program implementation, the Human Resource for Health (HRH) of the Department of Health Central Visayas, particularly those designated for nutrition activities were invited to an online forum on September 24, 2021 via the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Facebook Live. 

The activity, under the LGU Mobilization program, was organized to improve local nutrition implementation by increasing knowledge of DOH deployed HRH on nutrition program management with a particular focus on their roles in nutrition surveillance, nutrition education, as well as a review of the nutrition programs in the region and the utilization of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling for nutrition implementation. 

It was highlighted by an open forum that featured the experience exchange of an NDP, Ms. Lizeth B. Lu-ang of Guihulngan City, and her contributions to nutrition as well as tips for developing nutrition winners by Bohol Province DMO Ms. Peregrina A. Rallos with the technical expertise of Dr. Parolita A. Mission. 

While the DOH CV CHD has deployed 25 HRH specifically for nutrition in the region, their numbers are still very limited compared to the 136 LGUs. Thus, several Local Health Health officers have taken the initiative to designate existing DOH deployed human resources to assist in nutrition program implementation. The HRH representatives often take charge of data management and barangay level nutrition implementation.

With so many in attendance, NNC Region 7 hopes to have a stronger foothold in the barangay level nutrition program implementation and gain allies to help the Barangay Nutrition Scholars and the Barangay Nutrition Committees. //NGS