On 18 April 2017, thirty-two (32) participants from the different cities and municipalities of Samar attended the First Quarter 2017 joint Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC)-Technical Working Group (TWG), Municipal/City Nutrition Action Officers (M/CNAOs), District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/CNPCs) and the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Federation Officers Meeting at the Casa Cristina Hotel in Catbalogan City, Samar.
The joint meeting was conveyed primarily to discuss important matters on the nutrition implementation issues and concerns and share nutrition program updates. Important items lined up in the meeting are: Presentation of 2016 Municipal Ranking of Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus and Status of OPT Plus 2017, Feedback on Child Nutrition Surveillance, Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) Reporting, Status of Nutrition Trainings/ Sectoral Interventions, Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI), and BNS concerns.
Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr., updated the body on the recently approved PPAN 2017-2022. On the other hand, Nutrition Officer III Nino Archie Labordo shared the Eastern Visayas Regional Situation. With the regional nutrition status, RNPC Dotollo emphasized the inclusion of the PPAN Strategic Thrusts in the City/Municipal Nutrition Action Plans.
The meeting highlighted the discussions on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition of which capacity building of BNSs and other health workers is highly recommended. Likewise, participants were able to hear updates on the benefits of BNSs such as free PhilHealth insurance coverage, NNC Financial support, BNS eligibility and among others.
Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) Alva Ma. A. Gadin extended her appreciation to all participants including NNCs support and assistance to nutrition action officers in the Province of Samar. She hopes that with the updates and technical assistance provided the nutrition situation of Samar will be improved in the next years. ###
