Jimalalud, Negros Oriental – The Municipality of Jimalalud spearheaded by Municipal Mayor and Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) Chairman Hon. Hazel C. Tuanda conducted a 3-day blended training on Nutrition Program Management and Nutrition in Emergencies. The training was held on 24-26 October 2022 at the Rural Health Unit, Jimalalud, Negros Oriental. It was an initiative by the MNC and Planning Core Group in preparation and formulation of the 3-year Local Nutrition Action Plan for 2023-2025.
Information Management Officer from the National Nutrition Council, Mrs. Lyneth Anne A. Amahit together with MHO/MNAO, Dr. Josephine Y. Fernandez, PHN/MNPC, Ms. Susie Lorgie E. Espraguera, and ND II Ms. Chutsvieka May Pacatang visited the Mayor’s Office and had a courtesy call with Municipal Mayor/MNC Chairman. IMO Amahit informed Mayor Tuanda on the rationale of the training being conducted and even encouraged the Mayor to give support to the nutrition program.
The 3-day blended training was attended by 20 participants including the Sangguniang Bayan members, Chairman on Health and Agriculture Hon. Nelson C. Faburada and Hon. Remo Q. Estorco, MLGOO Mrs. Deanna A. Mingueto, MPDC Mr. Bernie S. Vidal, MAO Mr. Evenyl Q. Gordoncillo, representative from the MDRRM Office Mr. Gef T. Estoconing, and ABC President Mr. Alejandro P. Gargoles. MNC members from the Department of Education as one of nutrition stakeholders were also present, School Division Superintendent Mr. Ernesto C. Paculanang, Principal from Jimalalud National High School Mrs. Jiji S. Taladua, and Principal from Jimalalud Central School Mr. Alejandro M. Bacane. The training was led by the PHN/MNPC Ms. Susie Lorgie E. Espraguera and MHO/MNAO Dr. Josephine Y. Fernandez. All the participants were interactive during the whole duration of the training. They were given an in-depth explanation on the current nutrition situation of the Municipality of Jimalalud as part of the context of the training.
SB member Chairman on Health Hon. Nelson C. Faburada shared his impression on the last day of the training. He said “Before I became a member of the Sangguniang Bayan here in Jimalalud, I was also a nurse pero wala kaayo ko nag focus sa nutrition. Para sa uban gamay ra ang nutrition maong nagpasalamat ko nga na conduct ni nga training para mas ma realize ang importance sa nutrition. You just must lobby to us everything about nutrition and rest assured that we will also do our best to support the nutrition program here in the municipality”, she instructed.
JNHS Principal Mrs. Jiji S. Taladua in her closing remarks opined that “As members of the MNC, we have to double our efforts to solve this simple but contagious problem. Why contagious? Tungod kay kung malnourished ang usa ka inahan o amahan, mamahimo pud na malnourish ang ilang anak. When we have a very healthy people, we believe that the community will also be productive. So, from this, kabalo man ko nga naa tay sigeng MNC meeting so I am hoping na with all the efforts of everybody, there will be a change. Let us start with the little steps, hoping that these little steps can bring the entire municipality into a progressive level. She also acknowledged the facilitators and said “Daghan kaayong salamat to our facilitators for really giving us your inputs. We know that we must move our feet and hands forward believing that these things cannot be taken for granted. That these things should be on the level 1 of our top 10 priorities. All the sectors in the government can also be affected kung malnourished ang among mga kabataan specially the education sector”, she emphasized.
The training team hoped that by doing said training, a better nutrition situation in the Municipality of Jimalalud will be achieved and that all sectors will realize the importance of nutrition not just to children but to all age levels and to make the nutrition program a priority. They also expected that through this blended training, the MNC can now formulate a well-panned Local Nutrition Action Plan for 2023-2025. // ND II Chutsvieka May Pacatang, RND
