Cebu City - On 07 December 2022, right after the Regional Management Conference, the Central Visayas Association of Nutrition Action Officers Inc. (CeVANAO, Inc.) met virtually for their fourth meeting for FY 2022.

The meeting tackled topics on enhancing Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) on becoming nutrition focal point awardees and review of the status of implementation of the 2022 workplan and formulation of the 2023 workplan. NDs II Franz Cassandra R. Ontina and James Aaron S. Perez both of DOH CV CHD/NNC 7 facilitated the technical discussion.

ND II Ontina in her presentation shared that NNC 7 in partnership with RNC-TWG plans to develop and strengthen the NAOs on becoming Nutrition Action Focal Awardees for FY 2023. The enhancement for these nutrition managers will be based on the MELLPI Pro for Local Nutrition Focal Points with the following elements (1) Coordination, (2) Orientation, Promotion and Advocacy, (3) Planning, (4) Implementation, (5) Monitoring and Evaluation, (6) Resource Generation, (7) Capacity Development, (8) Documentation and record-keeping, and (8) Selection and recruitment of BNS.

Through the meeting, the participants agreed that the officers and members of CeVANAO, Inc. will be invited to take part in training and mentoring sessions for nutrition focal point awardees and that they will also identify and recommend fellow NAO that is interested to be a nutrition focal awardee for mentorship in 2023.

ND II Perez on the other hand showed the status of the implementation of the 2022 workplan and formulation of the 2023 workplan. The participants agreed to propose more doable activities especially on encouraging participation of all NAOs in the Association’s activities for inclusion in 2023 plans, NAOs to be involved in the promotion of the First 1000 Days campaign during the 49th Nutrition Month celebration, to represent the regional associations and elevate issues and concerns that need action from the national organization, and lastly to conduct advocacy to Provincial Nutrition Committees (PNCs) to organize/ strengthen provincial MNAO Associations in at least 2 provinces.

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