The office of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Region 8 headed by Dr. Catalino Dotollo, Jr. in coordination with ACF and UNICEF conducted a Nutrition Summit for nutrition stakeholders from the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran.
The Summit, held on July 31, 2014 at the Leyte Park Resort Hotel, was part of the culminating program of the Nutrition Month celebration and advocated for Nutrition resiliency and disaster preparedness, consistent with the theme of the 2014 Nutrition Month, “Kalamidad Paghandaan; Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan”.
Over 300 registrants participated in the Nutrition Summit with representatives from municipalities in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran, including the Municipal Action Officers (MNAOs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and their Federation Presidents, Municipal and City Council members. Aside from the participants from the government sector, the humanitarian community joined the summit. Different booths showcased nutrition advocacy in the participating municipalities.
The topics discussed during the event ranged from Nutrition and IYCF in Emergencies, Nutrition in the First 1000 Days of a Child, Health System Strengthening, to Generation Nutrition, a global nutrition advocacy effort. The Municipal Nutrition Action Officer of Limasawa and the City Health Officer of Davao City shared their innovative strategies in making their Local Government Units nutrition role models. The LGU of Limasawa, an island municipality prone to various disaster hazards due to its location, received the Nutrition Honor Award - the highest award achievable- for its highly successful nutrition program. The City of Davao has recently implemented the PIMAM program providing treatment to malnourished children and funded by city funds.
The Mayor of Tacloban City relayed his welcome message to all the participants through his representative. The Governor of Leyte, Hon. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, graced the Summit with his presence and shared the plans of the province to strengthen its nutrition programs. During the open forum, the representative of the Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security (PhilCan), Ms. Dyan Aimee Rodriguez, shared updates on the bills pending in Congress and Senate promoting BNS incentives and privileges. After the forum, the vice-president of the League of Municipalities of the Philipppines, Hon. Remedios L. Petilla, led the ceremonial signing of the 10-point agenda of Generation Nutrition and Pledge of Commitment.(Bon Lariosa,IMO ACF)
