Dinagat Islands Strengthen Nutrition Governance Through NutriLEAP

The Province of Dinagat Islands continues to make strides in improving health and nutrition outcomes through its partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). As part of the Nutrition Leadership and Equity Acceleration Program (NutriLEAP), the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC), also known as the Governor’s Guiding Coalition for Nutrition, recently conducted a participatory assessment of their 2024 Local Nutrition Action Plan (PNAP) using the ZFF Pook Malusog PNAP Assessment Tool last November 19, 2024.

This workshop brought together PNC members and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) from all seven municipalities to evaluate the province’s plans, budgets, and implementation strategies. The assessment focused on identifying gaps in workforce capacity, equipment, and commodity availability while ensuring the PNAP is comprehensive, responsive, and well-aligned with the province’s nutrition challenges.

Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., an active participant in NutriLEAP, leads this initiative with a vision to establish equitable and sustainable nutrition governance. The assessment provided valuable insights from ground-level realities, enabling the province to refine its targets, resources, and interventions to better combat malnutrition—particularly among vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children under two years old.

Key outputs of the workshop included actionable steps to strengthen the PNAP over the next three years, ensuring a focused response to malnutrition. This initiative highlights the critical role of intersectoral collaboration, proactive planning, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems in achieving long-term nutrition goals.

Through NutriLEAP, Dinagat Islands reaffirms its commitment to transforming nutrition governance and securing healthier futures for its communities.