Bohol Province - RNPC Dr. Parolita A. Mission visited some of the different local government units of Bohol province. In her visits, she prioritized the newly elected officials in the province. In her rounds with the Local Nutrition Committee Chairs, RNPC Dr. Mission advocated the importance of strengthening the nutrition program by setting up LGU’s own nutrition office with staff complement to orchestrate the implementation of the nutrition program. She also shared evidence-based solutions to addressing malnutrition in the locality, the importance of investing in nutrition and introduced NEOtrition to the newly elected officials.
NEOtrition Guide is a quick guide to navigating nutrition programs for newly elected officials thus the term “NEO” but this tool can also be use by tenured officials who wish to further strengthen their nutrition programs. The guide has 5 steps in order to reap the success of improved local nutrition.
Step 1, Local Nutrition Committee Chairs must organize/ reorganize/ or reactivate the local nutrition committee, local nutrition cluster, and must establish a separate nutrition office that has a close link to the mayor’s office. RNPC Dr. Mission shared examples and legal basis that support the organizing, reorganizing, or reactivating the LNC and having a separate nutrition office in the locality.
Once the LNC has been organized and activated. Step 2, The LNC Chair must designate or appoint a full-time nutrition action officer (NAO). NAOs are charged to coordinate the overall management of the local nutrition program in their communities thus the importance of the role in helping eradicating malnutrition the local government units.
As the LGU has designated or appointed a nutrition action officer, Step 3; the Local Nutrition Committee thru a planning core group formulates a 3-year local nutrition action plan (LNAP) and this plan must be integrated in the local CDP, LDIP, ELA, and AIP. This is contained in a memo circular number 2018-42 by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
As the plans are approved, integrated, and put into place, Step 4; the LNC must recruit, capacitate, and deploy local Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) as they are to deliver nutrition and nutrition-related services to the barangay by caring for the malnourished and the nutritionally vulnerable, mobilizing the community, and linkage building.
Last step, Step 5; LNC must oversee the implementation of the local nutrition action plan with a focus on the first 1000 days and must extract accountability from local offices.
With these steps the LGU can successfully reap quality nutrition provision to its constituents and in time eradicate malnutrition in the locality.
RNPC Dr. Mission visited Tagbilaran City and met with Hon. Jane C. Yap who was once a breastfeeding champion and currently the elected president of the league of City Mayors in Central Visayas. RNPC Dr. Mission also visited the LGU of Panglao and met with Hon. Edgardo F. Arcay, LGU of Dauis with Hon. Roman Bullen, LGU of Baclayon with Hon. A. Alvin J. Uy, and LGU of Tubigon whom she had a courtesy call with Hon. William R. Jao.
RNPC Mission visit the province again as she is scheduled to do an advocacy meeting with Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado and other mayors of the municipalities in the province.
Don’t forget to like, follow, and share the official Facebook page of National Nutrition Council Region VII @nncrvii for updates on the supporting nutrition activities in the region. // ND II James Aaron S. Perez, RND
