NEWS
Our Mission:
To promote the increase of investments in food security and nutrition by local government units, with the aim of aiding the government in eradicating hunger and all forms of malnutrition in the region..
Our Vision:
Anchored on Sustainable Development Goals No. 2 of the United Nations (UN-SDG2), it is our vision that by 2030 no one will go hungry anywhere in Eastern Visayas!
National Evaluation Team conducts MELLPI Pro CROWN evaluation in Paranas, Samar
By SAMAR NEWS.COM
June 1, 2026
CATBALOGAN CITY – The Municipality of Paranas took center stage in the national nutrition spotlight from May 25 to 28, 2026, as a National Evaluation Team composed of technical experts from the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Central Office, the Department of Health (DOH), and UNICEF arrived to conduct the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI Pro) CROWN Evaluation – one of the most prestigious assessments a local government unit can undergo in the Philippines.
The MELLPI Pro serves as the NNC's upgraded performance assessment system, designed to measure how effectively LGUs carry out their nutrition programs. Under the CROWN – or Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition – evaluation track, the team scrutinized six key dimensions of the municipality's nutrition governance: vision and mission; nutrition-related laws and policies; governance and organizational structure; management functions of the Local Nutrition Committee; delivery of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions and services; and measurable improvements in community nutritional status, including reductions in stunting, wasting, and malnutrition.
An LGU becomes eligible to vie for the CROWN Award only after earning the Green Banner Award for three consecutive years as an outstanding regional winner, after which the NNC's National Nutrition Evaluation Team conducts the MELLPI Pro CROWN Evaluation annually for three consecutive years – underscoring the gravity and distinction of Paranas' current candidacy.
A Collaborative Start
The four-day deployment began with a courtesy call on Municipal Mayor Hon. Elvira U. Babalcon, setting a collaborative and welcoming tone for the multi-day validation process. The Provincial Nutrition Office, headed by Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) of Samar Ms. Ysabel Aquino, was present on opening day to demonstrate solid provincial support for the evaluation.
On the ground, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Bernice Jessica A. Enguerra worked closely with NNC Region VIII liaison Carl Michael Sacramento, the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program Provincial Nutrition Focal Person (PNFP) of Samar. Sacramento managed the day-to-day coordination, accompanied the evaluators through desk reviews, and joined them during intensive field validations across the municipality.
"Exchange Your Eco Bricks" Program Draws National Praise
A clear highlight of the evaluation came during the May 27 field visits, when the national team witnessed Paranas' innovative local programs firsthand. The evaluators heavily commended the municipality's award-winning "Exchange Your Eco Bricks" program – a creative initiative that allows residents to trade tightly packed plastic bottle waste for essential rice and food packs. By directly linking environmental protection with immediate food security and malnutrition prevention, the program exemplifies the kind of sustainable, ground-level innovation the NNC seeks to champion nationwide.
Closing Remarks Affirms Strong Local Governance
The evaluation week concluded with an exchange of valuable insights from both the national and regional sides. Ms. Ysabel Aquino and the Provincial Nutrition Office returned on the final day for the formal closing.
Mr. Retz Pol Pacalioga, Nutrition Officer from UNICEF's health and nutrition sector, highlighted the solid governance underpinning the town's nutrition programs. Ms. Christine Jane Almira, Nutrition Officer II from the NNC Central Office Nutrition Surveillance Division, focused her remarks on how effectively local nutrition activities are being executed on the ground.
From the health sector, DOH Representative Mr. Nikolai Estefano Villar expressed that the LGU's seriousness in fulfilling its health and nutrition mandates was unmistakably evident. In closing the activities, NNC Region VIII's Carl Michael Sacramento shared a message of genuine appreciation for the municipality's visible dedication to prioritizing the health of its communities through creative, sustainable local programs.
Looking Ahead
NNC Region VIII and the National Evaluation Team extended their warmest gratitude to Mayor Elvira Babalcon, MNAO Bernice Enguerra, and the entire Paranas Local Nutrition Committee for their incredible hospitality and warm accommodation throughout the evaluation week.
NNC Region VIII expressed that it looks forward to seeing these local initiatives continue to safeguard families and highlight how economically beneficial nutrition investment is – not only in Paranas, but across the entire Province of Samar.
Paranas LGU strengthens nutrition services with new equipment and planning workshop
By SAMAR NEWS.COM
April 10, 2026
Distribution of Nutrition Equipment
On April 6, 2026, during the opening of the BNAP orientation at Kirigtaan Hall, the LGU distributed DETECTO weighing scales with height boards to 26 barangays. These were purchased using the P500,000 cash prize awarded to Paranas after being recognized as a Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) for 2023, formally conferred in 2024.
The initiative, led by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Bernice Jessica Enguerra, ensures barangays have the tools to monitor children's growth more effectively. Mayor Elvira Babalcon emphasized that the remaining barangays will also be equipped, with costs shouldered by the local government to guarantee equal access to nutrition services across all communities.
Barangay Nutrition Action Plan Workshop
From April 6 to 8, 2026, the LGU hosted the BNAP workshop, guiding barangays in formulating nutrition programs for 2026-2028. The event featured resource speakers from the National Nutrition Council Region 8, including Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Catalino Dotollo Jr., DMO II Ernest R. Dimakiling, and NO II Carl Michael C. Sacramento.
Participants – punong barangays, barangay secretaries, treasurers, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) – engaged in discussions on strengthening grassroots nutrition programs. Key topics included the Tutok Kainan feeding initiative and strategies for sustainable health outcomes.
Broader Impact
The combined distribution of equipment and BNAP workshop reflects the LGU's broader commitment to ensuring that every barangay in Paranas is equipped with both the resources and knowledge to deliver responsive nutrition services. Mayor Babalcon underscored that these efforts are part of a long-term vision to safeguard the health of children and families in the municipality.
Nutrition Month 2026 highlights link between nutrition and climate action
By SAMAR NEWS.COM
March 31, 2026
CATBALOGAN CITY – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) has announced the sub-theme for this year's Nutrition Month celebration: "Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!" The campaign underscores the vital connection between nutrition and environmental protection, with a strong focus on climate action.
Mandated by Presidential Decree No. 491, the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, Nutrition Month is observed annually to raise awareness and mobilize collective action for better nutrition. Since 2024, the overarching theme has been "Sa PPAN, Sama-Sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat," with sub-themes chosen to highlight key pillars of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028.
This year's sub-theme emphasizes that safeguarding natural resources is essential to ensuring sustainable food systems, food security, and good nutrition for present and future generations.
Climate Change and Nutrition: A two-way link
Climate change, driven by human activities such as fossil fuel use and deforestation, is reshaping ecosystems and food systems worldwide. In the Philippines, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and stronger typhoons threaten agriculture and fisheries – critical sources of food and livelihood. These disruptions reduce access to nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish, heightening risks of malnutrition among vulnerable groups including children and low-income households.
At the same time, food systems themselves contribute significantly to climate change. Globally, food production, processing, and consumption account for about 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Unsustainable farming practices, food waste, and reliance on resource-intensive diets strain land, water, and biodiversity.
Toward sustainable food systems
Experts stress the need for climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable fisheries, diversified crops, and promotion of local, seasonal foods. Investing in nutrient-dense crops that can withstand environmental changes is also seen as key to securing healthy diets amid climate challenges.
The NNC continues to advance policies and programs that integrate nutrition with environmental sustainability. Through multi-sectoral collaboration, the Council supports initiatives ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and climate-resilient food.
A call to action
The theme "Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!" calls on government agencies, local government units, civil society, private sector, and communities to work together in protecting both human health and the environment. Safeguarding forests, oceans, agricultural lands, and water resources is essential to securing food sources for generations to come.
As Nutrition Month 2026 unfolds, the NNC urges Filipinos to adopt sustainable food practices, reduce food waste, support local producers, and strengthen nutrition programs. The Council emphasizes that the health of people and the planet are inseparable – building resilient food systems is both a nutrition and climate imperative.