October 14, 2021, Surigao City -The NNC Caraga headed by OIC-RNPC Retsebeth M. Laquihon visited the PSWDO Nutrition Management Division Office of Surigao del Norte, Provincial Capitol to conduct Mentoring, Assisting and Coaching (MAC) through provision of technical assistance in planning and managing their nutrition program and to lobby for nutrition support of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte OIC-RNPC Laquihon talked about the importance of having a functional nutrition office with plantilla position and nutrition staff to mobilize their LGUs and ensure their wider participation in delivering nutrition programs and outcomes. She discussed together with the District Nutrition Program Coordinator Marissa Solloso the needed improvement in their Provincial Nutrition Action Plan (PNAP) and suggested various strategies and activities to be included. Also discussed the implications of having the Nutrition Office under the Provincial Health Office and a separate Provincial Nutrition Office, the one under the Health Office would also be functioning as implementer of nutrition programs specially the nutrition specific programs based on the health sector’s mandates while the Local Nutrition Office as secretariat would function as coordinating body for nutrition and will assist their Provincial Nutrition Committee in the formulation of nutrition policies, preparation of LNAP, conduct of advocacy and nutrition activities, monitoring and evaluation of the progress of their nutrition program and provision of technical supervision to their local nutrition committees including their component city and municipalities. On the other hand, NO II Aldrin Atienza checked and verified the submission of BNS Masterlist and ID pictures from the different municipalities of Surigao del Norte for the processing of their BNS IDs in the region. NO II Atienza also able to advise DNPC Solloso on the submission of CSC-BNS Eligibility application; he recommends the appraisal of the BNS documents by the Provincial Nutrition Office. Both provision of BNS ID and BNS eligibility were part of NNC's assistance and support to the Barangay Nutrition Scholar Program. NNC Caraga also turn-over IEC Materials for the province such as complementary feeding flyers, RA 11148 flyers, NiE Manuals, NiE Handbooks and laptop mats for selected recipients. Further, team also reminds about the identified participants for the E-Learning on Nutrition Program Management to capacitate newly hired or designated nutrition workers. (SNOII Vargas/RNPC Laquihon)