Cebu City - Assistant Secretary and NNC Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang emphasized the role of Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) in managing the nutrition program in their local governments. She shared the key functions of NAOs in her keynote address during the 17th Regional Congress of NAOs held at the Summit Galleria Hotel on 19 September 2022. She graced the event as the Guest of Honor and keynote speaker. A/Sec ED Dayanghirang in her message also congratulated the Central Visayas Association of Nutrition Action Officers, Inc. and National Nutrition Council Region VII for successfully organizing the activity.
The Congress which carried the theme “Kalig-ong nutrisyon, tubag sa pagtukog og mas maayong bag-ong NAOrmal” called for intensified efforts to battle stunting and other forms of malnutrition thru nutrition-specific, sensitive, and enabling programs with consideration of health protocols as response to the new normal. The NNC Executive Director also stressed the crucial role of NAOs to make safety nets to abate hunger and malnutrition brought about by the threat of food security and the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities. She further urged the participants to hold on to their commitment, passion, and laboring support that nutrition must remain a top priority especially now in these most challenging times.
A/Sec ED Dr. Dayanghirang informed the participants that the National Nutrition Council is currently formulating PPAN 2023-2028 and further advised all NAOs and LCEs that their future NAPs should be anchored on the new PPAN with proper funding. She also shared to the attendees that NNC is currently developing the NAO Handbook and hopes that NAOs will use it as a guide in navigating good nutrition programs, formulating NAPs, and coordinating with government and non-government sectors in their LGUs. A/Sec ED Dr. Dayanghirang hopes that all provinces, cities, and municipalities in the region and the country will have their own nutrition offices with complete personnel, especially with a full-time nutrition action officer as it is important and crucial in scaling up nutrition in the locality.
According to her, the fight against malnutrition cannot be faced by one sector alone but takes a multisectoral and multistakeholder and whole of national approach. Together, let us lay the success and achieve the dream of “Nutrition sapat para sa lahat”, she concluded.
Don’t forget to like, follow, and share the official Facebook page of National Nutrition Council Region VII for updates on the supporting nutrition activities in the region. // ND II James Aaron S. Perez, RND
