Visionary leadership is the most important key to the success of LGU-Bayambang’s nutrition program. In 2016, our former mayor, Dr. Cezar Quiambao, was quite incensed when he learned that our town of Bayambang was one of the top 10 malnourished towns.
He was so impatient for change, so he pulled out all stops to turn things around, sparing no expenses.
Since his style of leadership was visionary and transformational, he was able to get the support of our Sangguniang Bayan officials to institutionalize the position of a municipal nutritionist or MNAO (Municipal Nutrition Action Officer). This singular action paved the way for other positive developments.
Through an Executive Order, a physical office was created, which was separate from our Rural Health Unit, with a licensed nutritionist as qualified head and an adequate number of skilled staff, instead of assigning just one nurse for an entire municipal nutrition program.
Institutionalization paved the way for SB’s allocation of adequate funds for the office. Mayor Quiambao provided us with a comparatively huge MOOE, capital outlay, and annual budget, which has been increasing yearly since 2016.
Also, we were lucky that our mayor and most of our Sangguniang Bayan members belonged to the same political party, and this means 100% support and 100% alignment in our Executive-Legislative Agenda.
Another thing that made a big difference is that, in 2019, we hired 9 District Nutrition Program Coordinators to focus on particular catchment areas, 1 administrative staff, and 1 driver solely for nutrition programs.
The provision of a vehicle and driver for the office enabled the office to penetrate the remotest barangays more easily.
The hiring of our District Nutrition Program Coordinator for our 77 barangays enabled us to have a focal person for each of the nine districts of the Municipality.
Thankfully our current mayor, Niña Jose-Quiambao, has the same support for our nutrition program, so all of these remain intact under her administration.
We also have extended our support to our Barangay Nutrition Scholars by providing them an additional allowance of P600 per month.
We have also made sure that each barangay has its own BNAP or Barangay Nutrition Action Plan.
In 2023, we are proud to report that our LGU earned ISO 2009:2015 (Quality Management System) certification for all departments including Nutrition Office.
We are always carefully planning for the next steps when it comes to nutrition. In fact, we now have plans to create more positions for Nutrition Office, namely Nutrition Officer IV, Nutrition Officer II, and Administrative Officer II, so the office head and staff has something to look forward to in their professional life.
That's because poverty alleviation is very high on our LGU's agenda, particularly in our flagship program called Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan, which is based on our 10-year plan called Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Plan 2018-2028. We are convinced that nutrition is crucial because without proper nutrition, our children will not grow up properly as productive members of our community. This plan ensures that our nutrition programs are sustained throughout the years.
Thanks to all these efforts, today, from being one of the top 10 most malnourished towns in the Philippines, Bayambang has one of the top 10 most outstanding Municipal Nutrition Action Office not just in the province and region but in the whole country. What's more, two of our Barangay Nutrition Scholars have been adjudged as some of the most outstanding in the province and the region.
My advice to LGUs is to have the same kind of strong leadership -- visionary, transformational... have the daring and courage to make bold steps. Everything falls into place from there.
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