27/10/2026
𝐍𝐂𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐎𝐬 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
The Association of Nutrition Action Officers of NCR, Inc. (ANAO-NCR) and the Federation of Barangay Nutrition Action Officers of Metro Manila, in partnership with the National Nutrition Council–National Capital Region (NNC-NCR), held the 𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel in Manila.
With the theme “𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑵𝑨𝑶𝒔: 𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑵𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏,”
the conference brought together Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) from 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila, except Las Piñas City. It aimed to strengthen nutrition leadership, improve multisectoral coordination, and advance implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028.
In her welcome remarks, CNAO Ms. Soccoro Alma F. Gammad of Makati City and President of ANAO-NCR, Inc., emphasized collaboration to advance local nutrition programs. Conference Chair BNAO Maria Gerlyn A. Lagleva of Mandaluyong City and President of the Federation of BNAOs of Metro Manila highlighted the contributions of NAOs at the city, municipal, and barangay levels to effective nutrition action at the local and community levels.
During the first plenary session, “From Mandate to Action: What Should a Nutrition Action Officer Be Doing?”, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa Federizo emphasized that the NAO’s role extends beyond activities, meetings, and reporting. NAOs help the local nutrition system function by coordinating people, plans, resources, and programs. The session highlighted the eight roles of NAOs, including policy advocacy, planning and coordination, implementation, monitoring and mentoring, data use, reporting and knowledge management, partnership building, and resource mobilization. It also underscored the importance of translating nutrition-related laws and national programs into concrete local action.
Ms. Maria Lourdes Vega, Executive Director of the Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, discussed “RA 11148: From Law to Local Action,” emphasizing integrated interventions during the First 1,000 Days (F1KD). She encouraged NAOs to prioritize vulnerable populations, integrate F1KD interventions into local development and investment plans, strengthen service convergence, and use monitoring data to improve implementation. During the open forum, participants discussed challenges in reaching pregnant women, sustaining interventions, and mobilizing resources, underscoring the need for stronger referral systems, community follow-up, and partnerships.
Adding a lighter moment to the conference, BNAO Ms. Maria Antoinette Franchesca “Maffy” Da Roza of Makati City delighted participants with her song performances.
In her keynote message, Dr. Janice Kathleen Malesido, Officer-in-Charge Regional Director of the Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) and Chair of the Regional Nutrition Committee - NCR, urged NAOs to translate nutrition plans and commitments into measurable outcomes. She emphasized data-driven decision-making, multisectoral partnerships, and alignment with the PPAN 2023–2028 and the DOH’s “Una sa Kalusugan” principle to ensure that interventions reach children, mothers, and communities most in need.
RD Malesido also officiated the induction of ANAO-NCR, Inc.'s newly elected officers and board members for Calendar Years 2026–2028.
NNC Nutrition Officer III Ms. Queenie Rose Amosco-De-Jesus, in her talk “From Advocacy to Action: Making the Case for Nutrition,” emphasized that effective advocacy must go beyond sharing information. NAOs should use local data and implementation results to influence decisions and advocate for the policies, budgets, personnel, and resources needed to sustain nutrition programs.
CNAO Ms. Jenily Capalaran of Pasig City, in “Making Local Nutrition Plans Work: The LNAP is Approved…Now What?”, discussed the importance of aligning Local Nutrition Action Plans (LNAPs) with the PPAN 2023–2028, clarifying responsibilities among implementing offices, securing resources, and regularly monitoring implementation.
The panel discussion, “NCR Nutrition Solutions: Learning from Our Own,” moderated by NNC Nutrition Officer III Yula Bringas, featured local experiences shared by BNAO Joel Pagkalinawan of Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa City, on implementing RA 11148; BNAO Robert Jones Quebec of Pasig City, on capacity-building for nutrition in emergencies; and CNAO Dr. Marilyn Liwanag of Valenzuela City, on mobilizing Local and Barangay Nutrition Committees. Their experiences highlighted the importance of leadership support, clear roles, partnerships, resource mobilization, monitoring, and adaptability. The panelists also emphasized that successful practices should be tailored to each LGU’s local context.
CNAO Dr. Olive Esquivias of Quezon City reinforced the conference's key messages in her synthesis, and BNAO Federation Vice President Gina Garduque of Taguig City delivered the closing message.
The conference concluded with a call for NAOs to review LNAP implementation, address funding and coordination gaps, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and commit to three actionable nutrition initiatives within three months.
Ultimately, empowering NAOs means equipping them to translate policies into local action, use data to inform decisions, bring partners together, and ensure effective implementation of nutrition plans. Through stronger local nutrition governance and sustained collaboration, Metro Manila LGUs can move closer to better nutrition outcomes and healthier communities.
Written by Nutrition Officer III Fabiola Allysa Bringas and RNPC Milagros Elisa Federizo
