Cebu City – The National Nutrition Council Region VII attended a focus group discussion (FGD) as part of the preparatory steps in crafting the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2022. Organized by the National Economic and Development Authority 7, the activity was held on 14, December 2022 at the NEDA Region 7 Office, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

DMO II Norre Jean V. delos Santos represented the agency during the meeting. The team was composed of 15 representatives from the different government and non-government agencies including the DOH CV CHD, DILG 7, PopCom 7, NNC 7, NEDA 7, USAID Philippines, and PNA Cebu Chapter.

The attendees revisited the Central Visayas RDP’s Social Sector, particularly sub-chapter 4.1 “Boosting Health and Nutrition” and generated inputs, comments, and recommendations to the situational and strategy frameworks.

Discussed during the FGD were the common challenges encountered by each agency especially in health and nutrition. Among the challenges include capacity development of community health workers, quality of monitoring of the local nutrition committee functionality, security of tenure for health and nutrition workers, and prioritization of the nutrition program at the local level as manifested by their local nutrition action plans and budget and its integration to the local development plan.

The activity also served as a window for new support as USAID Philippines committed to extend their help in policy making for the social sector particularly for health and nutrition. 

NEDA 7 Chief Economic Development Specialist for Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division Ms. Maria Melissa E. Guantero thanked all the participants for their valuable inputs and ensured that these were all noted, and will be validated and integrated in the drafting of the RDP chapter. // DMO II Norre Jean V. delos Santos