22/11/2025
๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ข๐: ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ณ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ
The 3rd Coordination and Monitoring Meeting of the Regional Nutrition Shepherding Team (RNST) was conducted with the Municipality of Naic, Cavite, marking their designation as Calabarzonโs newest Nutrition Shepherding Area. Held virtually via Zoom, the meeting was spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Calabarzon under the guidance of Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Ms. Lourdes Bulante-Orongan. The session brought together members of the Naic Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) along with RNST members, including members from Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) and Nutrition Honor Awardee Local Government Units (LGUs). In attendance were representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Calabarzon, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Calabarzon, Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Calabarzon, and the Tagaytay City Nutrition Committee (CNC).
Naic Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Ms. Gee-Anne S. Buenaflor opened the meeting by expressing her appreciation to the RNST members for initiating the shepherding project. She acknowledged the municipalityโs need for strengthened support to improve its nutrition situation and affirmed, early on, the full commitment of their MNC and Nutrition Office to the endeavor. Following her remarks, RNPC Bulante-Orongan welcomed all participants and thanked the RNST members for their continued assistance and participation in the shepherding project. She then provided an overview of the Regional Nutrition Shepherding Project, beginning with the national malnutrition landscape before zooming in on Naicโs nutrition situation. She explained that Naic was selected as the next RNST focus area due to its ranking among the top 10 municipalities nationwide with the highest magnitudes of underweight, stunting, wasting, and overweight/obesity based on the 2024 Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus, as well as highest prevalences of wasting and overweight/obesity among children under-five based on the 2025 Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus results. RNPC Bulante-Orongan also highlighted the projectโs roots in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017โ2022 and outlined the processes Naic will undergo upon fully adopting the shepherding initiative.
Nutrition Officer (NO) III Ms. Theresa A. Rivas then presented a detailed review of Naicโs Municipal Nutrition Situation trend over the years 2022โ2024. She discussed key findings and recommendations drawn from the 2025 Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Protocol (MELLPI Pro) of the Cavite PNET, LGU Functionality assessment, and the LGU Health Scorecard (HSC). As part of strengthening local capacity, she also facilitated a discussion on the capacity mapping needs of MNC members, Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNCs), and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs). MNAO Buenaflor supplemented this by presenting additional insights and sharing their proposed capacity-building plans for the coming months.
Tagaytay City Nutrition Program Coordinator (CNPC) Ms. Marietta DG. Dogelio followed with an inspiring presentation of Tagaytay Cityโs journey in their ascend in nutrition and their notable best practices as a Nutrition Champion LGU. She recounted their humble beginnings, the challenges faced, and the collaborative leadership that paved their way toward earning the Nutrition Honor Award. CNPC Dogelio reaffirmed Tagaytayโs support to the Naic MNC and encouraged them to consider joining the Learning Hub for Enhanced and Revitalized Nutrition (LHEARN), emphasizing that Naicโs progress will contribute to a healthier Cavite province. Afterwards, Project Development Officer (PDO) I Ms. Anne Nicole S. Gonzales presented the proposed ways forward to guide the smooth rollout of the shepherding project.
Municipal Health Officer (MHO) Dra. Maria Carolina P. Matel then delivered a heartfelt message of commitment on behalf of the Honorable Mayor Rommel Anthony V. Magbitang and the Municipal Health Office. She thanked the RNST members for their offered assistance, acknowledged the challenges Naic is facing, and expressed confidence that with the dedication of their MNAO, Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinator (MNPC), and BNSs, the shepherding project will yield meaningful and lasting results. Naic MNPC Ms. Analisa Oliveros also shared a brief message of appreciation and commitment.
Additional messages of support were shared by RNST members, including Mr. Jonas Emmanuel A. Fajarda of DILG, Ms. Josephine L. Santos of CPD, CNPC Dogelio, and RNPC Bulante-Orongan. To close the meeting, MNAO Buenaflor once again extended her gratitude to all participants.
With the collective commitment demonstrated throughout the meeting, Naic stands at the threshold of a transformative journey toward improved nutrition outcomes. As the shepherding project moves forward, stakeholders remain hopeful that their collaborative efforts will bring about sustainable progress, stronger systems, and a brighter, healthier future for the municipality.
Written by:
PDO I Anne Nicole S. Gonzales, RND
RNPC Lourdes Bulante-Orongan, RND, MDM
