PALO, Leyte - The Nutrition Action Officers Association of the Philippines (NAOPA) Eastern Visayas chapter held its election of new set of officers. The election was represented by NAOs of 6 provinces, cities, and federated NAO presidents.

The beauteous Jassie Acla Alegre was elected NAOPA EV chapter as one of the association Auditors. Jassie as she is fondly called is the newly appointed permanent Nutrition Officer II (NOII) of Borongan City in Eastern Samar.

She was also designated as City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) on November 26, 2021. Her appointment came before the implementation of the Devolution Transition Plan (DTP). The creation of the present nutrition plantilla position was a result of the persistent and consistent advocacy of NNC 8.

Before her appointment as NOII and concurrent CNAO, she has a vast experience both in the hospital and community work. As a registered nurse, she has worked as hospital and a school nurse. Wanting to serve as community worker, she applied and work with Department of Social Work and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI CIDSS).

She was an area coordinator in several municipalities in Eastern Visayas, the position she held for five years before joining as Borongan CIty’s CNAO.

Leadership wise, this 31 years old nurse was awarded as Most Outstanding Coordinator in the entire Eastern Visayas.

In such a short a time as CNAO, she was able to lobby and approved nutrition budget of 3.6 million. This is on top of the sectoral budgets. Last year, at the middle of the pandemic, she initiated a Nutrition Program Management (NPM) training cum City Nutrition Action planning/workshop assisted by NNC 8 staff. The training cum planning-workshop paved the way for the approval of the above nutrition budget.

The nutrition office has two other staff to assist CNAO Jassie in its day-to-day operation.

To date CNAO Jassie has lined up program, project and activities (PPA’s) to uplift the vulnerable sectors in her city. For so short a time as CNAO, she was able to submit and up to date e-Operation Timbang (e-OPT). She is challenged by the National increasing incidence of stunting, wasting, underweight and overweight among 0-59 months old children. The result was attributable to Jassie’s hard work together with her Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) to conduct OPT plus.

With Jassie as CNAO and as Officer of NAOPA EV chapter and with enthusiasm, commitment, and hard work, she will make difference not only in Borongan City but as leader of NAOPA.

Congratulations, CNAO Jassie Acla-Alegre to your position as Auditor of NAOPA Eastern Visayas chapter. #RNPC-CPD