PALO, Leyte - In its first Nutrition Action Officers Association of the Philippines (NAOPA), Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. had a dialogue with Provincial Health Officer (PHO) II and OIC-Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) of the province of Eastern Samar, Dr. Efipania Marian Isiderio.

Both had a side conversation on the creation of additional nutrition permanent plantilla position in the province. RNPC Dr. Dotollo advocated Dr Isiderio to include in their Devolution Transition Plan (DTP) creation of nutrition office and creation of permanent nutrition plantilla position.

Dr. Isiderio vowed to upgrade instead the position of Nutritionist- Dietitian II (ND II) to ND IV. She will prioritize the upgrading this year with or without the DTP. She however said, that instead of creating a separate office, she will create a separate unit for nutrition service. She will augment additional staff to assist the PNAO. The Human Resources for Health-Nutrition Dietitian Deployment Program (HRH-NDDP) will also be assisting the nutrition office.

Moreover, Dr. Isiderio gave feedback that the initial phase of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) will soon be finished. Isiderio said that the implementation of PKG will be expanded to other municipalities of the province.

Meanwhile, another young and dynamic Municipal Health Officer of Javier, Leyte Dr. Alne Sangrano- Cupido also gave feedback to RNPC Dr. Dotollo regarding creation of permanent nutrition plantilla position is on the offing and is part of the DTP of the municipality.

Dr. Cupido said that they will create MNAO l, however Dr. Dotollo said that they can use nomenclature based on DBM-LBM # 137.

DBM-LBM # 137 is all about Index of Occupational Services, Position, Titles, and Salary Grades in Local Government Units (IOS-LGU 2021 Edition issued July 13, 2021. The memorandum spells out allowable nutrition position in the LGUs.

Dr. Cupido vowed to consider the suggestions of the RNPC. #RNPC-CPD