Module 3. Lesson 1. Understanding Policy.

By definition, a policy is the

Nutrition Program Management-2 transformation of the government’s
political priorities and principles into
After completing Lesson 1, you should be programs and courses of action to
able to:
deliver desired changes. It provides the
1. define policy, plan, program, project,
conceptual framework as a basis for the
and activity;
2. illustrate relationships among policy, overall plans. A policy can be a law,
plan, program, project, and activity; e.g., Republic Act (RA), Executive Order
3. define nutrition program management; (EO), Presidential Decree (PD),
4. discuss the principles in nutrition resolution, administrative order (AO),
program management; and ordinance, or a statement. It is the basis
5. explain the relevance of understanding for implementing a program.
nutrition program management to the roles
and functions of local nutrition workers. Plan. It refers to a cluster of programs
that is comprehensive, long-range in
BASIC TERMINOLOGIES timeframe and includes defined goals,
You must be familiar with the terms strategies, and guidelines for
policy, plan, program, project, and implementation.
activity (PPA). These terms are often Program. It is a set of interrelated
used interchangeably but they are projects that presents personnel,
actually distinct from each other. In the facilities, money, equipment, supplies,
local setting, they are also commonly and other items directed to accomplish
known as policy and PPAs. specific goals and objectives.
Terminologies discussed are
sequentially arranged to show the Project. It refers to a specific and time-
relationship or hierarchy of the bound set of tasks or activities
concepts. The figure below illustrates undertaken to achieve a given objective
the hierarchical relationships among according to a defined budget and
policy, plan, program, project, and timetable.
activity.
Activity. This is a short-term task
performed by one or several members
of a project team in order to achieve
project objectives.

In any nutrition activity, inputs or

resources are needed. These can be
human, technology, information, time,
and money. Inputs are also referred to
as the 6 M’s: man, money, machine,
material, moments, and methods.
The figure below presents an example committee (LNC) to the achievement of
of the hierarchical relationship among the national nutrition goals are:
policy, plan, program, project, and
1. P/C/MNAO and LNC participate in
activity. R.A. 8976 (Food Tariffication
the planning and implementation of
Law) mandates the implementation of
activity, project, and program at the
the food fortification programs, followed
provincial, city/municipal, and barangay
by the formulation of the Philippine Food
levels.
Fortification Strategic Plan, then a
program for recognizing fortified foods to 2. Outputs in each level can influence
be awarded with the Sangkap Pinoy the achievement of programs, plans,
Seal. and policies at the higher and lower
levels.

3. Flow of relationship signifies the

relevance of the nutrition program
implementation at the local levels in
achieving the national nutrition goals.

4. The nutrition workers who work at

the local levels are considered prime
movers of nutrition. Your contributions
From the program, one of the projects is are valuable in improving the nutrition
the promotion among food situation of the country. While you target
manufacturers to fortify their products, families and barangays in your
and activity is the monitoring of fortified respective areas, your collective efforts
foods in sari-sari stores. have an impact on the entire country.

At the LGU level, a nutrition policy can NUTRITION PROGRAM

be the enactment of a local ordinance MANAGEMENT (NPM)
adopting the Food Fortification Law. The
NPM is a decision-making process of
local nutrition action plan (LNAP)
identifying potential nutrition problems
contains the elements of the ordinance
and needs of a specific population
to implement the law, which can be a
group. It analyzes possible ways of
part of the food fortification program.
preventing and controlling malnutrition.
Promotion of fortified foods can be the
It also allocates resources based on
project and monitoring of fortified foods
needs and expectations and takes
in sari-sari stores can be the activity.
deliberate action to address nutritional
The significant contributions of the
problems, including those related to
Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action
monitoring and evaluation (NNC, 2005).
Officer (P/C/MNAO) and local nutrition
The figure below shows the four phases
of the NPM cycle. The NPM Cycle,
which is an interactive process, consists of the goals and objectives are also
of the following phases: made, then re-strategizing is conducted.

PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RIGHT-

BASED APPROACH APPLIED IN
NPM: PANTHER

The NPM process has been developed

and modified based on experiences,
lessons learned, and principles. The
principles of the human rights-based
approach are referred to as PANTHER
1. The NPM cycle starts with planning that is applied in NPM.
which involves deciding in advance
the actions that could be done to
achieve nutritional objectives. This
phase also includes integrating nutrition
considerations in sectoral plans and
ensuring the sustainability of programs
and projects.

2. The implementation phase of the

cycle involves putting the plan into
action and adjusting action based on the
results of monitoring. Oftentimes, program planning is only
done to satisfy or comply with
3. The next phase of the NPM cycle is requirements, and therefore the quality
monitoring and evaluation. At this of the plan is sacrificed. Sometimes an
stage, an assessment of the attainment outsider who is conscious only of the
of objectives and identification of factors format does it. As duty bearers, the
that contributed to or hindered the nutrition workers must observe that
attainment of objectives is done. Results these principles are being integrated
of this phase should influence the next into NPM.
planning cycle as well as in the
adjustment during the implementation Benefits of Local Nutrition Program
phase. Management

4. The last phase is re-planning. In The benefits of local NPM are as

this phase, the results of the monitoring follows:
and evaluation activities are analyzed 1. guide LCEs, local legislators, and
and used to improve nutrition other key actors on priority issues to be
interventions or programs. Adjustments addressed;
2. contribute to the setting up of the Module 3. Lesson 2. Situating NPM
local legislative agenda (what nutrition in the Local Development System-2
policy issues need to be given priority
After completing Lesson 2, you should be
for legislative action);
able to:
3. provide direction to nutrition service 1. explain the legal framework of managing
providers in determining actions to be a nutrition program;
2. identify the key functions of LGUs in the
done to address priority issues;
management of nutrition and related
4. provide a framework for making services based on different legislations or
decisions concerning nutrition; policies;
3. discuss the importance of LGU’s
5. set the direction to provide continuity administrative structure in planning and
during changes in political implementation of nutrition programs;
administration; and 4. illustrate the structure for coordination of
nutrition programs;
6. contribute to the sustainable efforts 5. explain the link of the local nutrition
to achieve local food and nutrition action plans to national nutrition plans;
security. 6. situate the local nutrition action plans in
the local planning development system; and
Ensuring Good Nutrition Programs 7. describe existing good practices in
using Rights-Based Approach situating NPM in the local development
system by LGUs
You know that you are employing the
rights-based approach if: Legal Framework on NPM
• the most vulnerable people are Working with the government is
reached through appropriate targeting anchored on certain agreements that
mechanism; govern program implementation not only
at the local but international levels as
• interventions identified are based on well. It is therefore worthwhile to know
the needs and problems the legal bases for nutrition action. This
(relevant/responsive) of the target group will in a way support operation and if
and available resources (appropriate ever may be subjected to audit since the
design); law mandates all transactions. This
• the interventions reach (equity) and implies that programs must have a legal
can improve and secure the nutritional basis for them to be operational.
situation of the malnourished target
group (effective) at the lowest cost International, National, and Local
(efficient); and Commitments to Address
• the outcomes are sustained. Malnutrition

International
1. The Convention of the Rights of the
Child is adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly and widely acclaimed
as a landmark achievement for
children’s rights. The Convention
guarantees and sets minimum
standards for protecting the rights of
children in all capacities.

2. The World Declaration on Nutrition 4. On 5 March 2014, the Philippines

during the International Conference on joined 59 other countries in the Scaling
Nutrition (ICN) in 1992 in Rome, Italy, Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement which
declared hunger and malnutrition as has the vision of a world free from
unacceptable and that these must be at malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. It is
the center of socio-economic a unique movement founded by the
development plans and strategies. It is principle that all people have a right to
the prime responsibility of the food and good nutrition. It unites people
government to protect and promote food from government, civil society, the
security and nutritional well-being of its United Nations, donors, business,es and
people. academe in a collective effort to improve
nutrition. In the Philippines, the SUN
3. The global community has committed networks for UN and CSOs were formed
to achieving the United Nations in 2016 and 2017, respectively. As early
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as February 2020, the National Nutrition
now Sustainable Development Goals Council (NNC) is building the
(SDGs), which aim to reduce the worst foundations of the SUN networks for
forms of human deprivation by 2030. academe and business sectors.
The

achievement of the nutrition targets

would contribute to the achievement of
all SDGs
(sustainabledevelopment.un.org).

5. On 13 November 2017, the

Philippines adopted the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Leader’s Declaration on Ending All
Forms of Malnutrition during the 31st
ASEAN Summit. The declaration aims
to ensure stronger political commitments National government agencies also
of the ASEAN Countries in promoting developed national policies on nutrition
public and multi-sectoral investments to that LGUs are enjoined to adopt. At the
improve nutrition, particularly in local level, LGUs through their
addressing stunting. Sanggunian enact ordinances and
resolutions in support of nutrition
programs and policies.

The LCEs issue executive orders, office

orders, and memorandum circulars to
support nutrition programs. The key
national and local legislation and
policies provide the legal framework in
governing nutrition and nutrition-related
services.
National level
Legal Mandates for LGUs to Deliver
1. At the national level, child nutrition is Nutrition Services
guaranteed in the 1987 Philippine
Constitution. Article XV Section 3 states The following are the major policies that
“The State shall defend…the right of provide LGUs the mandate to deliver
children to assistance, including proper nutrition services. Your nutrition
care and nutrition and special protection initiatives, therefore, shall be governed
from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, by these policies.
exploitation, and other conditions
1. 1987 Philippine Constitution (Article
prejudicial to their development.”
XV Sec.3)
2. Presidential Decree (PD) 491 or the
2. Presidential Decree 491 Nutrition Act
Nutrition Act of the Philippines and PD
of the Philippines (June 25, 1974)
1569 –Strengthening the Barangay
Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Program has 3. Presidential Decree 1286 Regulating
been issued to uphold nutrition the Practice of Nutrition and Dietetics in
improvement in the country. the Philippines and for other purposes
(1974)
Legal Framework of Managing a
Nutrition Program 4. Letter of Instruction 441 (1976)

Numerous national legislation mandates 5. Presidential Decree 1569

LGUs to deliver health and nutrition Strengthening the Barangay Nutrition
services and/or food and nutrition Program (1978)
security interventions or both.
6. Executive Order 234 Reorganization
Act of NNC 22 July 1987
7. Executive Order 51 - National Code 17. DOLE Department Order No. 56-03
of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, Series of 2003 Rationalizing the
Breast Milk Supplement and other Implementation of Family Welfare
Related Products (1988) Program (FWP) in DOLE

8. Republic Act 7160- Local 18. DILG Memorandum Circular 2016-

Government Code 1991 02- Guidance on the Preparation or
Updating of Local Plans
9. Republic Act 8172 - An Act
Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide 19. DILG Memorandum Circular 2018-
and for Related Purposes (1995) 42 - Adoption and Implementation of the
Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition
10. Republic Act 8435 The Agriculture
(PPAN) 2017-2022
and Fisheries Modernization (AFMA)
Act of 1997 20. Local Budget Memo No. 77 and 77a
- Internal Revenue Allotment and
11. Republic Act 8980 An Act
Guidelines on the Preparation of the FY
Promulgating a Comprehensive Policy
2019 Annual Budgets of Local
and National System for Early
Government Units
Childhood Care and Development
(2000) 21. Local Budget Memo No. 78 -
Indicative FY 2020 Internal Revenue
12. DOH A.O. No. 2010-0010 - Revised
Allotment (IRA) Shares of Local
Policy and Guide on Micronutrient
Government Units (LGUs) and
Supplementation
Guidelines on the Preparation of the FY
13. NEDA-Social Development 2020 Annual Budgets of LGUs
Committee (SDC) Resolution No.1,
22. RA 10862 - Nutrition and Dietetics
Series of 2004
Law of 2016
14. DOH A.O. 2008-0029 -
23. RA 11148 - Kalusugan at Nutrisyon
Implementing Health Reforms for Rapid
ng Mag-Nanay Act of 2018
Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal
Mortality 24. RA 11223 - Universal Health Care
Law
15. Executive Order 472 Transferring
the National Nutrition Council from the 25. RA 11037 – “Masustansyang
Department of Agriculture (DA) to the Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act”
Department of Health (DOH) November
26. RA 11210 – “105-Day Expanded
30, 2005
Maternity Leave Law”
16. Republic Act 10028 Expanded
27. DILG-DOH-NNC Joint Memorandum
Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009
Circular 2019-01 – “Guidelines on the
Integration of Specific Programs,
Projects, and Activities (PPAs) from the Budgets of LGUs. They have the
Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition mandate to raise funds and establish
(PPAN) 2017-2022 to the Local resource-generating mechanisms to
Development Plans, Investment finance the nutrition program.
Programs, and Budgets of Local
3. Capacity Building and
Government Units”.
Development. LGUs are also tasked to
28. Executive Order No. 101 Creating provide and train staff to manage and
an Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero sustain nutrition improvement programs
Hunger (2020) 29. Republic Act 11310- and strategies as stated in the DILG
“Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Memo Circular No. 2010-139 Utilization
(4Ps) Act”. of Public Funds Relative to Attendance
in Conventions, Seminars, and Similar
Key Functions of the LGUs in the
Activities Conducted by the Associations
Overall Management of Nutrition and
of Professionals, Foundations, Non-
Nutrition-Related Services
Governmental Organizations, and Other
These functions are the following: Organized Groups

1. Policy and Plan Formulation. LGUs 4. Delivery of nutrition and nutrition-

are mandated to develop a local related services. LGUs are responsible
nutrition action plan (LNAP) thru the to deliver services or implement partly or
local nutrition committee per LOI 441 wholly, nutrition or nutrition services
item number 5. Furthermore, LGUs (with guidelines from relevant national
should also develop or adopt policies government agencies).
along with nutrition as an enabling
5. Advocacy. LGUs are also enjoined
mechanism for the nutrition
to advocate for the passage of national
interventions. NNC recently developed
and local nutrition and related laws and
the Compendium of Local Ordinances
programs.
and Issuances on Nutrition which
contains local policies on nutrition from 6. Information, Education, and
more than 100 local government units. Communication Campaign. LGUs are
also tasked to disseminate information,
2. Allocating resources. LGUs are
create awareness and understanding of
mandated to allocate funds to finance
nutrition and nutrition-related issues and
nutrition and nutrition-related services
programs.
as contained in the DILG Memorandum
Circular 2018-42 and Local Budget 7. Compliance Monitoring. Laws
Memo No. 78 - Indicative FY 2020 designate LGUs to monitor compliance
Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to provisions of the law and in some
Shares of Local Government Units cases implement sanctions to violators
(LGUs) and Guidelines on the accordingly.
Preparation of the FY 2020 Annual
LGUs Administrative Structure from the higher level, e.g., municipality,
and is responsible for the
It is imperative for you to understand
implementation of nutrition interventions
how your nutrition program will sit within
(accountable).
the local governance system by taking a
look at the LGUs’ administrative The figure below shows the coordinating
structure. The figure below shows the structure of the NNC. The figure follows
administrative structure of LGUs. the general structure of the LGUs, e.g.,
from the national level, the functions of
NNC are carried out at the local level
through the LNCs down to the barangay
level. The structure is composed of the
NNC Governing Board at the national
level and of the nutrition committees at
the local level.

relationship between local and national

governments is on the implementation
of development plans and programs
(including nutrition programs). While the
LGUs are fully independent, the national
government exercises general
supervision over provinces and highly
urbanized cities (HUCs). The Local
Government Code of 1991 ensures a At the national and regional levels, the
more responsive and accountable local plans are called the plan of action for
government structure in program nutrition (PPAN/RPAN) because it
management. provides the general and broad
Responsiveness means that the higher framework. At the provincial, city,
level, e.g., cities/municipalities, takes municipal, and barangay levels, the plan
actions on the nutrition needs of those in is referred to as a nutrition action plan
the lower level, e.g., barangays, while (P/C/M/BNAP) because it contains
accountability pertains to the specific actions/operations. Check
responsibilities of the where your responsibilities lie at each
cities/municipalities to their barangays. level depending on your current
Likewise, the lower level, e.g., designation.
barangays, should support and comply The local nutrition plans at the different
(responsive) with the nutrition directions levels are interrelated because they
contribute to the overall national goals physical, environmental, and
and targets. At the same time, LNAPs institutional). This implies that national
respond to their respective nutrition government agencies requiring certain
situations. sectoral plans of LGUs must integrate
these requirements into the CLUP or
The relationship of city/municipal plans
Comprehensive Local Development
and instruments is shown in Figure 3.13.
Plan (CLDP).
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP)
spells the direction, policies, and priority 3. The Provincial Development and
targets, programs, and projects of the Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) is
country. A section of the PDP covers the general plan at the provincial level.
nutrition either as part of the food and Its content is the combination of CLDP
nutrition security sub-sector or health and CLUP since these plans are only
and nutrition sub-sector. Ideally, available at the municipal and city
nutrition should be integrated into all the levels.
chapters.
4. The Executive Legislative Agenda
(ELA) is a three-year plan that is
generated from the CLDP. This
coincides with the term of office of the
LCE. The ELA is usually prepared at the
local level by the Sanggunian
Panlalawigan/Bayan in collaboration
with the LCE. This ensures that the
legislative and executive branches of
the LGU will have a common agenda in
terms of objectives and programs to be
Note the following plans and implemented.
important features:
5. The Annual Investment Program
1. The Comprehensive Land Use (AIP) is a tool by which an LGU annually
Plan (CLUP) is a policy guide for the manages and financially supports its 3-
regulation of land use embracing the 10 years sectoral plan and its Local
LGUs’ entire territorial jurisdiction. It Development Investment Program
covers up to 9 years. (LDIP).
2. The Comprehensive Development 6. The LNAP is a three-year plan
Plan (CDP), usually covering 6 years, containing the objectives and nutrition
corresponds to the multi-sectoral interventions that will be implemented to
development plans and investment address the malnutrition problem at the
programs and must cover the five provincial, municipal, city, or barangay
development sectors (social, economic, level. LNAP (P/C/MNAP)
operationalizes the PPAN and RPAN at For LNAP to have funding, it should
the local level. The P/C/M/BNAP is form part of the CDP and ELA. It should
prepared by the respective nutrition be included in the LDIP, AIP, and
committees and should be an integral appropriation ordinance/annual budget.
part of local development plans. Integrate nutrition in relevant chapters or
sections of the CLDP such as in the
There are thirty-three (33) legally
LGU vision, situational analysis, priority
mandated local plans (Table 3.1) that
development challenge for PDPFP and
represent sectoral or thematic concerns.
ecological profile for CDP,
Each LGU is required to prepare them in
goals/targets/objectives, and the
order to ensure that the needs of these
structured list of PPAs. Once in the
sectors are known and addressed. All of
LDIP and AIP, funding allocation
them can be mainstreamed, interfaced,
becomes imperative. Hence, inclusion in
or integrated into the CDP so long as
the budget facilitates.
they are considered in every step of the
CDP Process. If the LGUs do not have LNAPs also include projects and
them yet, these plans can in turn be activities focused on addressing the
extracted or culled out from the CDP. effects of disasters on food and
(Source: nutritional status at various levels,
https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/report before, during, and after the occurrence
s_resources/dilg-reports-resources- of disasters. Thus, there is a need to link
2017110_298b91787e.pdf) the local nutrition planning process and
schedule with local development
(Links to an external site.)
planning, legislation, and budgeting.
Remember that LNAP is not included Therefore, NAOs and members of the
among the NGA-mandated plans but LNCs should be aware of the various
only in the other sectoral/thematic plans. stages and periods of the planning cycle
Thus, there is a need to have stronger (Table 3.2). Note also that the Disaster
advocacy for the LGUs to prioritize this Risk Reduction Management in Health –
plan and implement it. Nutrition in Emergencies (DRRM H-NIE)
Plan should be part of the LNAP and
DRRM-H plan. A separate course is
available for this.
 materials written either in English,
Filipino, or in the local dialect”.

The information should provide the

following details:

a. procedure to obtain a particular

service;

b. person/s responsible for each step;

c. maximum time to conclude the

Citizen’s Charter process;

The Citizen’s Charter is a document that d. document/s to be presented by the

contains relevant information on the customer, if necessary;
frontline services and goods provided by
e. amount of fees, if necessary; and
LGUs to their constituents. It provides
the standard for the delivery of services f. procedure for filing complaints.
and goods to the public.
The NAO should make sure that
Republic Act No. 9485 (An Act to nutrition services are included in the
Improve Efficiency in the Delivery of frontline services included in the
Government Service to the Public by Citizen’s Charter. The inclusion of
Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape nutrition services in the Citizen’s Charter
Preventing Graft and Corruption and will ensure that the LGU is committed to
Providing Penalties, Therefore) provides providing the service and at the same
the legal basis for the Citizen’s Charter. time educate people on how the
The provision of the citizen charter is services could be availed of. The figure
indicated in Section 6 of R.A. 9485. below on the next page shows a sample
citizen’s charter from the Provincial
It states that “All government agencies
Government of Nueva Vizcaya.
including departments, bureaus, offices,
instrumentalities, or government-owned
and/or controlled corporations, or local
government or district units shall set up
their respective service standards to be
known as the Citizen’s Charter in the
form of information billboards which
should be posted at the main entrance
of offices or at the most conspicuous
place, and in the form of published
Module 3. Lesson 4. Organizing or and coordinating the LNAP. The
Revitalizing Local Nutrition functions of the LNC are:

Committees and the Nutrition 1. prepares a nutrition action plan

Program Management Cycle complementary to and integrated with
other plans of the LGU and higher-level
After completing Lesson 4, you should be plans;
able to:
2. advocates the adoption and financing
1. state the purpose of local nutrition
of the plan;
committees (LNC);
2. enumerate the functions and 3. coordinates nutrition and nutrition-
composition of LNC; related activities of member agencies
3. enumerate the functions of the chair of
and other agencies;
LNC;
4. enumerate the roles of a Nutrition Action 4. monitors nutrition and nutrition-
Officer; related activities of member agencies
5. assess the performance of the Local and other agencies;
Nutrition Committee vis-à-vis its mandate;
6. enumerate the phases of the NPM cycle; 5. mobilizes resources to ensure the
and plan is implemented;
7. enumerate the steps and activities in
each phase of the NPM cycle. 6. conducts periodic visits and meetings
with LNC;
Before you can participate as a nutrition
worker, you need to know the 7. monitors performance assesses
organization and what the functions of progress of plan implementation, and
each member are. It is your duty to be recommends appropriate actions;
familiar with who calls the shots for
8. holds regular quarterly meetings to
faster decision-making should the need
assess plan implementation; and
arise. You can then aptly situate in the
NPM cycle these roles and functions. 9. introduces innovation in the
management of nutrition programs.
Roles of Local Nutrition Committees
in the Province, City, Municipality, The functions and composition of the
and Barangay Levels Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition
Committee (P/C/MNC/BNC), duties of
At the LGU level, the nutrition committee
the LNC chair, and duties of the NAO.
(from the provincial level to the
barangay level) is responsible for In case the LNC is not functioning,
nutrition program management. The efforts should be done to reactivate the
LNC is the mechanism for planning, committee to include the local health
implementing, monitoring, evaluating, office, nutrition office, social welfare and
development, public elementary school
system, academic institutions, other
government organizations (GOs), and
non-government organizations (NGOs).

The LNC is also tasked to coordinate

with other health sub-clusters.

Organizing or Reorganizing the Local

Nutrition Committee

To perform the functions cited in the

table above, the LNC should be
organized or reorganized. Doing the
following can facilitate this:

a. List key personalities and sectors

that could help solve malnutrition
problems in the
province/city/municipality;

b. Discuss with the LCE the need to

convene a meeting that is aimed at
organizing the nutrition committee;

c. Prepare the following for the

meeting, making sure that the LCE is
aware of these preparations:

1) Letter of invitation or notice of

meeting (refer to Sample Letter of
Invitation and Notice of Meeting).
2) Decide on the agenda of the development and annual investment
meeting. The following are some programs
suggested topics for the meeting:
b. Dedication of the P/C/MNAO in doing
■ Nutrition situation; the task of coordinating nutrition effort;

■ Benefits of having well-nourished c. Cooperation and commitment of the

citizens to local development; members of the LNC to coordinate and
work with each other:
■ Interrelationship of the sectors in
addressing malnutrition; and 1. P/C/MNC members should carry out
the mandates of their respective sectors
■ Roles and responsibilities of the
but with a nutrition perspective and in
members in the implementation of the
coordination with other sectors;
P/C/MNAP.
2. P/C/MNC should establish and
Since LCE chairs the P/C/MNC, the
nurture linkages with other mandated
committee may have to be re-organized
councils, boards, and committees in the
or reactivated each time a new
locality to ensure that the LNAP goal of
administration takes over to ensure
improving the nutrition situation is
political support and continuity of
integrated into their plans.
nutrition action. Some of the sample
executive orders are found here. d. Continuous conduct of activities
throughout the year that would sustain
The LNCs must be functional and this
coordination, cooperation, and
can be achieved through:
teamwork among the members:
a. Strong leadership of the LCE;
1. Workshops for formulating the LNAP
1. Providing political, moral, and to allow consultation and joint decision-
administrative leadership in the making among members;
implementation of the LNAP
2. Quarterly meetings during which
2. Convening and presiding over LNC issues affecting the implementation of
meetings the nutrition plan could be discussed,
and if possible resolved;
3. Attending key activities of the LNC
3. Interagency team field visits to
4. Advocating for the creation of a project sites to monitor nutrition
plantilla position for nutrition action program;
officers and District/City Nutrition
Program Coordinators (D/CNPCs) 4. Program Implementation Review
(PIR) to assess accomplishments and
5. Ensuring that programs for nutrition performance against the target set in the
improvement are integrated in the local plan and to determine if LNAP
development plans and the local
objectives have been achieved. The PIR
will enable the LNC to decide whether
interventions are worth continuing or
not.

The contributions of the different sectors

and national agencies or departments to
nutrition are listed below. There are
several departments that have been
devolved such as health, social welfare Activities of a Newly Designated
and development, and agriculture. P/C/MNAO
Those that were not devolved include
the DepEd, DTI, DOLE, and DOST, Changes in personnel are always
among others. The contributions of each happening for varied reasons. In such a
agency are not limited to those identified case, a new P/C/MNAO may be
in this section (see table below): designated or appointed by the governor
or mayor at any time.

The outgoing P/C/MNAO turns over the

“office” (including program information,
documents, and other materials) to the
incoming P/C/MNAO. An incoming
P/C/MNAO should be familiar with
his/her responsibilities and must know
the nutrition problem and nutrition
intervention in improving the nutrition
situation in the province, city, or
municipality and how these are
coordinated. Key information to know
would be as follows:

a. Status of the P/C/MNC, e.g. if

organized and functional or if it needs to
be reorganized and activated;

b. Presence of a P/C/MNAP;

c. Nutrition situation of the

province/city/municipality including trend
over the years;

d. Nutrition and related programs and

projects that have been implemented, if
possible with indications of which ones 4. PPAN accomplishment reports;
have been effective;
5. Documentation reports of
e. Budgetary support extended to nutrition projects and activities;
nutrition programs and projects;
6. Minutes of the past P/C/MNC
f. Extent of organization and meetings;
functionality of LNCs;
7. National and local laws related
g. Extent of administrative support to nutrition;
available, i.e., if a nutrition office exists
8. Feedback report on the results
or staff to assist P/C/MNAO have been
of monitoring and evaluation e.g.,
designated
Monitoring and Evaluation of Local
A new P/C/MNAO should: Level Plan Implementation
(MELLPI)
a. Request orientation about PPAN
and the roles of the NAO from NNC d. Consult key informants in the
regional offices or in the case of the locality, e.g., personnel of the local
MNAO, the PNAO. offices of agriculture, health, social
welfare and development, education;
b. Request LCE to call for a P/C/MNC
NGOs operating in the area; the
meeting and use this as a chance to:
Municipal Planning Development
1. introduce oneself to the other Coordinator (MPDC), Local Government
members of the committee; Operations Officer (LGOO), BNSs, and
those in the provincial and regional
2. know more about the members levels.
of the committee and their agency’s
activities e. Visit barangays and consult
barangay officials on how to improve
3. related to nutrition, and how the nutrition efforts. Talk to families and ask
members relate to each other; and them what their needs are and what
4. consult the members on what nutrition programs they need.
they think should be done to improve f. Hold dialogues with LCE to discuss
actions for nutrition improvement. directions for nutrition plans as NAO and
c. Review documents available: support needed.

1. PDPFP, CDP, LDIP for nutrition The table below shows priority activities
integration that an incoming P/C/MNAO can
undertake based on the information
2. P/C/MNAP and BNAP; generated.
3. Current and past years’ results
of Operation Timbang (OPT);
 indicators being used to identify the
functionality of the LNCs.

There are other key players in nutrition

program management and these are as
follows:

a. Regional Nutrition Program

Coordinator

The NNC Regional Office is headed by Depending on the number of indicators

a Regional Nutrition Program an area obtains based on the checklist,
Coordinator (RNPC). The RNPC is a an LNC can be categorized as follows:
full-time employee of the NNC whose
major function is to coordinate efforts for a. Fully Functional – all indicators
nutrition improvement in the region. The present
RNPC is assisted by a Nutrition Officer.
b. Substantially functional – lacks 1-2
b. D/CNPC indicators

1. Assists the P/C/MNAO in coordinating c. Partially functional – lacks 3-4

provincial/city/municipal nutrition indicators
programs and in providing technical
d. Non-functional – more than 5 or half
assistance to C/M/BNC along with NPM.
of the indicators are absent
2. Provides staff support to the BNS
Module 4. Lesson 1. Familiarizing
Program in terms of assisting the C/
MNAO in the selection and recruitment with the Activities of NPM
of BNSs; plans and conducts BNS
training; monitors, supervises, and After completing Lesson 1, you should
evaluates BNS; assists BNS in further be able to:
improving performance as nutrition
1. enumerate activities included in
volunteer; and submits BNS proposal
nutrition planning;
and training report to the NNC-Regional
Office copy furnished the P/CNAO. 2. explain the importance of plan
preparation; and
Mobilizing or Revitalizing the Local
Nutrition Committees 3. identify key outputs required of each
activity in the planning process.
Some local nutrition committees may
not be fully functioning. DILG Memo The Concept of Planning
Circular No. 2018-42 shows the
Planning is deciding in advance what The table below presents the summary
needs to be done to achieve nutrition of activities that you need to do under
goals and objectives. Planning of your the planning phase of the NPM Cycle.
nutrition program is important because
you need to:

1. Determine integrated, synchronized,

coordinated, and focused actions for
nutrition improvement;

2. Promote sectoral, community, and

private sector involvement;

3. Allocate budget and other resources;

4. Ensure efficient and effective

utilization of resources;

5. Minimize the negative impact of other

development programs on nutrition;

6. Prevent overlaps and duplication

during program implementation;

7. Link nutrition with local development The LNC and Planning

planning and budgeting; and
The LNC is responsible for planning
8. Provide the LNC with a guide for nutrition programs and preparing the
implementing nutrition projects, LNAP depending on the unique situation
evaluating efforts, and generating of each LGU. The output of local
resources. nutrition planning is the three-year
The Planning Phase of the NPM Cycle LNAP. The LNC also serves as the local
nutrition cluster during periods of
The first phase of the NPM cycle is Plan disaster and emergencies per NNC
Preparation and Adoption Governing Board through Resolution
No. 1 Series 2009. With this, the LNAP
should also include activities focusing
on preparing and managing the food
and nutrition situation in times of
Activities in the Planning Phase of disaster and emergencies (A separate
the NPM Cycle module on nutrition in emergencies is
available).
The sample outline for the three-year d. Committee Chairperson on Health of
LNAP is presented in Box 4.1a the Sanggunian.
Budgetary requirement is included in the
Suggested Activities/ Meetings and
preparation of plan of operation.
Expected Outputs of LNC or LPCG
for Nutrition

The LNC or the LPCG for nutrition can

formulate the LNAP together during
Mobilization means bringing members of consultation or planning meetings. The
the LNC together under the leadership LNC should also ensure that the LNAP
of the local chief executive (LCE) to includes programs or project activities
formulate the LNAP. The NAO is for disaster preparedness and
expected to coordinate the planning management. The part on the nutrition
activities. In case the LNC has many management in emergencies and
members, a local planning core group disasters of the LNAP, in turn, should be
(LPCG) for nutrition could be organized incorporated in the local disaster
to make the planning process preparedness plan.
manageable prior to approval of plan of The table below presents the suggested
the whole LNC. series of meetings/activities in
The members of the LPCG for nutrition formulating the plan. The number of
are the following: meetings will depend on the decision of
the LNC or LPCG for nutrition and that
a. Head of the Planning and they can make their own schedule of
Development Office; meetings.
b. Head of the Budget Office;

c. Heads of local sectoral offices

involved in delivering nutrition and
related services such as the Health
Office, Agriculture Office, Social Welfare
and Development Office, Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Office
(DRRMO), Gender and Development
(GAD) Office, representatives from the
Department of Education (DepEd) and
NGOs implementing social development
projects that benefit many of the
nutritionally at-risk or affected groups
and communities; and