Region VII

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 07 November 2022

NNC 7, Central Visayas, Saktong Nutrisyon, Region VIISan Miguel, Bohol – Optimism is a strong trait that has enabled this Provincial Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar Nenita P. Molina shines from the rest of her contenders. A native of Barangay Mahayag, San Miguel, Province of Bohol, this relatively new BNSs (appointed in 2019), her enthusiasm for the nutrition program and in serving her community is very commendable.

With the support of her Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) and under the guidance of the San Miguel Municipal Nutrition Committee, BNS Nenita facilitated the conduct of at least 4 meetings in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic and even ensured that a meeting is held just before TY Odette hits Central Visayas in December 2021. As a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Technology graduate, she has used her educational background in providing nutrition services to her community.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 06 November 2022

Balilihan, Bohol – Utilizing a holistic approach to prevent hunger and malnutrition, the Municipality of Balilihan in the Province of Bohol activates its Countryside Action Program (CAP). The program is a social development strategy that is anchored on man’s basic needs and puts a premium on health, nutrition, and sanitation among the seven (7) sectoral concerns of the local government. CAP is a collaborative and integrated effort of the local government unit, line agencies, non-government organizations or people’s organizations, and the mass base working hand in hand to effect change and development. CAP is focused on man/person and the improvement of his quality of life in an atmosphere of peace and equality. It is considered an effective tool to deliver basic services efficiently and effectively to the Balilinhons especially those who are in rural areas.

As its contribution to the program, the Balilihan Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) is tasked to cater to the nutritional needs of the townspeople from planning to implementation and monitoring of related nutrition programs and projects targeted largely to infants, preschool children, and school children. The program includes a fruit tree planting activity to ensure food security and a nutrition civic action and a free clinic project. To combat overnutrition and promote a healthy lifestyle, the MNC has also organized a Zumba dance workshop.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 05 November 2022

San Miguel, Bohol – The Municipal Nutrition Committee of San Miguel, Bohol, spearheaded by the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Ian Gil G. Mendez conducted public awareness campaign every month. For the month of August, key messages were promoted to celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and Family Planning Month with the themes: Sama-samang Itaguyod Tamang Kaalaman at Kalinga sa Pagpapasuso and with the theme: Bata, Bata, Planado kang Ginawa!, respectively.

The August activity took place on 19 August 2022 at the town’s Legislative Building. This was attended by a total of 80 participants comprising breastfeeding support group presidents, barangay nutrition scholars, and pregnant and lactating mothers. There was also a 1-minute latch-on conducted by lactating mothers after the discussion of MHO Dr. Janilane D. Abellar, who delivered additional knowledge about the importance of breastfeeding. After that, ND II Añasco, discussed infant and young child feeding practices and the importance of personal hygiene.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 06 November 2022

Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor – Considered the smallest town in the province of Siquijor, the Municipality of Enrique Villanueva in the Province of Siquijor has been consistent in ensuring that services reach all its constituents. For the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC), the COVID-19 pandemic does not hinder the nutrition program implementation, rather it has served as a challenge for the MNC to devise new ways to ensure the continued delivery of nutrition services.

With the aid of its very active health and nutrition network, the MNC along with its 14 Barangay Nutrition Committees regularly monitors the nutritional status of children through house-to-house visits with strict observance of health protocols. To ensure that the community has access to a continuous and cost-free supply of nutritious food, the nutrition committee encouraged and enabled households to have backyard gardens. Municipal and barangay-level nutrition program implementation is monitored by the MNC virtually. In the same way, the MNC also regularly meets to innovate strategies to address emerging challenges brought about by the pandemic through effective policymaking and evidence-based nutrition initiatives. One such initiative is the Adopt a Child Program, which includes a 120-day feeding program, which was also strengthened through firm coordination with Enrique Villanueva Police Station which greatly reduced the cases of malnutrition in the municipality.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 04 November 2022

Garcia Hernandez, Bohol – Efficient and resourceful, the Municipality of Garcia Hernandez of the Province of Bohol has been a mainstay of the province’s top-performing Municipal Nutrition Committees for many years now. With its stellar performance, their efforts have been recognized as one of the first towns in the region to receive the 2022 Green Banner Seal of Compliance for its 2021 performance since the Central Visayas Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team has adopted the MELLPI Pro.

For a 4th class municipality, Garcia Hernandez’s strength lies in its resource mobilization capacity and its flexibility in nutrition program implementation. The MNC was able to tap external bodies such as the East-Poblacion Solidarity Association (EPSA) and the Philippine Mining Service Corporation (PMSC) Bohol Plant for additional resources to help them fund the nutrition program. To institutionalize the private sector’s support of the program, the Garcia Hernandez MNC has signed a memorandum of agreement with said companies.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 05 November 2022

Catmon, Cebu – Catmon Mayor and Chair of Municipal Nutrition Committee Hon. Avis G. Monleon conveyed her all-out support for health and nutrition in her municipality. She uttered this commitment during the town’s launch of the 38^th Nutrition Month celebration.

The local chief executive who was once a barangay health worker herself can feel the challenges if health and nutrition are not on the radar of the elected mayor. She emphasized the importance for the local government unit to give the full backing and budget for the implementation of the different programs in health and nutrition.