Pinamungajan, Cebu - The local municipal nutrition committee held a local MNC meeting to formulate their 3-year local nutrition action plan for year 2023-2025. The meeting under the direction of the newly elected Mayor and MNC Chair Hon. Ana Jessica A. Baricuatro joined the meeting that took place in the Rural Health Unit conference room and was facilitated by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Melochie R. Daroy-Pausal.
The MNC meeting was attended by different Pinamungajan LGU departments such as the municipal social welfare and development office, municipal agriculture office, municipal health office, and local DepEd as members of the planning core group of the local nutrition council with technical support from the municipal planning and budget office. The meeting was also attended by Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Ma. Fe C. Managaytay, RN and NDP focal for Nutrition Ms. Jeremia E. Abelo, RN. and special participation by Ms. Servil Mae V. Villaespin DMO of DOH CVCHD and Mr. James Aaron S. Perez of NNC RVII.
With the previous year of 2021, the local MNC noticed a rise of stunted and underweight children. Stunting plays far reaching consequences on child growth and development if not addressed immediately and properly thus the local nutrition committee sees a need for a strategic and purposive action to address such malnutrition. Pinamungajan MNC played a pivotal role in reversing the trend in both under and overnutrition to ensure good nutrition among their constituents.
The three-year local nutrition action plan contained various sections that include an assessment of the situation, objectives, workplan, projects and activities to be implemented, and budgetary requirements and arrangements for organizations and coordination. The LNAP determines integrated, synchronized, coordinated, and focused actions for nutrition improvement, as it also serves as a guide for the local nutrition committee for implementing nutrition projects, assessing, and evaluating efforts and generating resources.
Pinamungajan Municipal Nutrition Committee plans to have its separate nutrition office under the stewardship of the office of the mayor and included in the plan is to hire a full-time nutrition action officer to take care of the needs of nutrition and program management in the municipality.
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
