Tacloban City-Officers and members of the Harmonized Initiatives of Media for the Spread of Good Nutrition in Region 8 (HIMsoG8) conduct their first meeting amidst COVID 19 pandemic on 27 April 2021 via blended approach.
As the media arm of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) 8, HIMSOG 8 updated their Vision and Mission to be aligned with Philippine Plan Action for Nutrition 2017-2022 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a presentation by Mr. Ray Gaspay, he made mention particularly on SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (no hunger), SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing) and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). He also highlighted productivity through sustainable agriculture.
To enhance their Vision and Mission and later drafting of operation/action plan, RNPC Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. shared Sub-national Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Implementation Guidance and Tools for Nutrition. Dr. Dotollo highlighted SBCC strategic approaches which the media group can align their vison/mission and subsequently in their action plan.
Towards later in the presentation, RNPC Dotollo introduced various NNC initiatives such as the Tutok Kainan: Dietary Supplementation Program (TK:DSP), Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PGK) the Philippine Multi-sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) to be funded by the World Bank.
The media group can help jumpstart their activities towards these three major nutrition initiatives. These initiatives according to Dr. Dotollo can be a platform for other nutrition sensitive and nutrition enabling program such as sustainable livelihood and agriculture through home/ backyard gardening, poultry and livestock raising enabling family to have food on top of their table.
With these initiatives’ media can help influence individuals, families to change their attitudes and behaviors towards good health and nutrition. The media can also be an advocate and influencers of Local Chief Executives to invest more n nutrition.
Meanwhile, Nutrition Officer II Ms. Ullasin Pangan-Alferez, gave the media group a glimpse of the nutrition situation of Eastern Visayas. She also updated the media group on the Nutrition Service Continuity Survey and the MELLPI Pro including schedules.
Towards the end of the meeting l, two media representatives volunteered to go with Dr. Dotollo and NO III Dr. Labordo in the conduct of TK-DSP orientation in 4 municipalities of Samar the following day. NNC 8 welcomes the initiative of the media group in helping advocate and influence LCEs.
HIMSOG 8 was organized during the time of NPC Carina Santiago was composed of private media practitioners. Later, during Dr. Dotollo’s helm was expanded to include government information officers (PIA8), government radio personnel and the community nutriskwela station and program managers. NPC CPDotollo
