TACLOBAN CITY – Members of the Nutrition Planning Core Team of the PAHIMOSAN Interlocal Health Zone (ILHZ) gathered together to craft and finalize nutrition-related programs, projects, and activities for the 2021 Annual Investment Program (AIP) last 21-22 October 2020 at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City.
PAHIMOSAN, or the municipalities composed of Paranas, Hinabangan, Motiong, and San Jose de Buan all from the Province of Samar, was the first interlocal health zone to make it on a face-to-face workshop.
Lead by its ILHZ Chairperson, Mayor Eunice Babalcon of the Municipality of Paranas, the good Mayor expressed her utmost support for the team to formulate viable and lasting strategies that could reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in the four-member municipalities. In her message, she mentioned that to fight for malnutrition there is a need to capacitate its people from the healthcare workers, the Nutrition Council, stakeholders down to the grassroots including purok leaders and parents for them to give full support and participation to nutrition program implementation.
In their 2021 AIP presentations, the Municipalities of Paranas and San Jose de Buan identified the First 1000 Days program and agriculture as a priority. On the other hand, the municipalities of Hinabangan and Motiong allotted more for nutrition-sensitive programs particularly the establishment of water facilities.
Meanwhile, Mr. Santiago Gloria, Jr., the assigned Development Management Officer in the area manifested support that the Department of Health at the Provincial level will facilitate monitoring and guidance that PPAs are implemented. Likewise, commodities and logistic support are well provided to said municipalities.
The Workshop on Integrating Nutrition PPAs in the 2021 AIP is part of the NNC's local government mobilization strategy to scale up nutrition. In the region, the Regional Planning Facilitators Team (RPFT) is lead by Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr., the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator including NOIII Niño Archie S. Labordo, ECCD F1KD Coordinator Jennibeth Cañete and NOII Ullasini Pangan-Alferez as resource persons and facilitators. #NASLabordo
