PALO, Leyte - The National Nutrition Council 8 represented by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. and the municipality of Basey in Samar signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the latter’s implementation of Local Nutrition in Early Warning Systems (LNEWS).

The Local Nutrition Early Warning System - Food and Nutrition Security (LNEWS-FNS) Program is one of the activity and data sources of the Philippine Nutrition Surveillance System (PNSS) of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).

The said program aims to understand the causes and seasonality of malnutrition. It also enhances knowledge and skills in data collection, analysis and interpretation, and data utilization for nutrition program planning and decision-making.

In Eastern Visayas, it was first established in Hilongos, Leyte and was expanded to the municipalities of Gandara in Samar, Libagon in Southern Leyte, Palompon in Leyte and Basey in Samar.

To date 2 LNEWS are functional in the 2 municipalities of the province of Leyte namely Hilongos and Palompon. The system was already used for policy makers in terms of decision making and legislation for price monitoring of basic food commodities.

Meanwhile, at least 3 LNEWS sites will be reactivated. The municipality of Libagon, Southern Leyte has new MNAO and new set of core team. In Gandara. Samar has new mayor and Basey in Samar for reactivation as there are new members.

Furthermore, LCE of Basey signed the MOA with RNPC Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. last September 27, 2022 at the Mayor’s Office Conference Room. A brief re-orientation was conducted by DMO II Irene F. Dagami.

The re-orientation was attended by members of the Local Health Board (LHB) and Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC).

The signing of the MOA followed shortly after the re-orientation and was also witnessed by LHB and MNC members.

With the signing of the MOA it is envision that the system will be used by the MNC to monitor basic good commodities availability and prices monitored thereby local leaders policy makers will based legislations and decision making on the result of the data gathered. #RNPC-CPD