Tabuan Lasa Nutrition Office

31/07/2025

Investing In My Municipality’s Future: MNAP Workshop for Basilan MNGP Batch 2 LGUs | July 28-30, 2025 | Hotel Primera, Zamboanga City

The Rural Health Unit of Tabuan Lasa proudly participated in the 3-day Municipal Nutrition Action Planning (MNAP) Workshop for Basilan MNGP Batch 2 Local Government Units, organized by the Zuellig Family Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Health - BARMM and the Provincial Health Office of Basilan.

Representing RHU Tabuan Lasa were Mr. Edison C. Ballaho, NDI/MNAO and concurrent OIC-MHO; Ms. Lherma W. Kaulun, MECBA and FHSIS Coordinator and concurrent AOP/MOOE Focal; and Ms. Farhana B. Muktar, Nutrition Program Coordinator. Their active engagement throughout the sessions demonstrated the municipality's firm commitment to advancing nutrition governance and improving health outcomes.

The workshop equipped participants with valuable tools in strategic planning, evidence-based decision-making, and multisectoral collaboration—crucial components in crafting a responsive and inclusive Municipal Nutrition Action Plan for 2026-2028. The RHU Tabuan Lasa team brought forward key insights on local challenges while collaboratively identifying sustainable solutions tailored to their community’s unique needs.

This milestone participation signifies a pivotal step forward in Tabuan Lasa’s journey toward a healthier, well-nourished future—where every child thrives, and no one is left behind.

18/07/2025

100% SURVEY COVERAGE DESERVES A CELEBRATION 🎉

At Bukut Umus Footbridge in the morning of July 13, Sunday, a post-survey get together was held in the presence of no less than the very supportive and generous shining Mayor of Tabuan Lasa, Hon. Moner S. Manisan in celebration of the Team 2 Subteams 5 and 6 successful conduct of the 2025 Updating Survey in Barangays of Lanawan and Bukut Umus, Tabuan Lasa Municipality.

For eleven (11) days in the field, the teams’ data collection went well because of the overwhelming and unwavering cooperation, commitment, dedication and support of the following individuals from day one, to wit;

🍎Hon. Moner S. Manisan, Mayor of Tabuan Lasa
🍎Hon. Muamar S. Manisan, Barangay Captain of Bukut Umus and the Barangay Councilors present
🍎Hon. Pando Junaid, Barangay Captain of Lanawan and the Barangay Councilors present
🍎All Barangay Health and Nutrition Workers of Bukut Umus and Lanawan
🍎All the 62 target households of Barangay Lanawan and 34 target households of Barangay Bukut Umus

And of course, the ever-important blessings and grace of the Almighty God. 🤲🏼💕✨

Congratulations, Tabuan Lasa and DOST-FNRI’s T2ST5&6! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

18/07/2025

T2ST6: ACTUAL SURVEY and DATA COLLECTION ✨

After locating the target households/families based on the randomly selected PSA listing, the researchers scheduled each household for the body measurement taking and individual member interview for the succeeding days, depending on the household members’ availability.

All household members, depending on their numbers, will be taken anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist-hip ratio and blood pressure.

Getting the correct body and blood pressure measurements is crucial in identifying prevalence of underweight, underheight, thinness, overweight, and obesity and the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as elevated blood pressure or hypertension.

A series of individual and household interviews will also be conducted to identify socio-economic characteristics of individual members and households, infant and young child feeding practices, maternal health and nutrition, status of food security, and level of awareness on DOST-FNRI programs and tools.

The survey results will be used as bases in crafting policies and nutrition tools such as the PPAN, food fortification program, ASIN law, PDRI, micronutrient supplementation, sin tax reform law, and many other health and nutrition-related initiatives in the local, regional and national government.

18/07/2025

DOST-FNRI’s 2025 Updating Survey’s Team 2 Subteam 6 is all-set for Tabuan Lasa ✨

Leading the subteam that is currently covering Tabuan Lasa’s Barangay Bukut Umus is Miss Krislyn P. Ellevera, Project Technical Specialist III, together with her are Miss Laica D. Andal, Miss Sitti Rhazena S. Basali and Miss Shelanee D. Dampilag, all are Project Technical Specialists I.

The team will be in Brgy. Bukut Umus from July 08 to 14, 2025.

12/07/2025

TEAM 2 SUBTEAM 6 ON-BOARD THE SHINING ISLAND ✨

While the data collection is ongoing at Brgy. Lanawan, another subteam from the big team 2 of DOST-FNRI has arrived at Brgy. Bukut Umus, Saluping Island, Tabuan Lasa on July 08, 2025 to conduct the 2025 Updating Survey.

They were picked up by Tabuan Lasa’s MNAO and concurrent OIC-MHO Edison C. Ballaho at Buli-Buli Port in Sumisip, Tuesday morning.

Immediately after their arrival in Bukut Umus, a project orientation was held at Bukut Umus Covered Court where the Bukut Umus Brgy. Chairman, Hon. Muamar “Kap Pogi” Manisan alongside various Brgy. Councilors together with the RHU Staff, the BNS and all the BHWs were in attendance during the orientation.

In the afternoon, together with the MNAO, the team went on to locate the target households and will schedule them for body measurements taking and face-to-face interview for the succeeding days.

At night, the team paid a courtesy call to Tabuan Lasa Mayor, Hon. Moner S. Manisan.

08/07/2025

T2ST5: ACTUAL SURVEY and DATA COLLECTION ✨

After locating the target households/families based on the randomly selected PSA listing, the researchers scheduled each household for the body measurement taking and individual member interview for the succeeding days, depending on the household members’ availability.

All household members, depending on their numbers, will be taken anthropometric measurements such as weight, height and waist-hip ratio and blood pressure.

Getting the correct body and blood pressure measurements is crucial in identifying prevalence of underweight, underheight, thinness, overweight, and obesity and the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as elevated blood pressure or hypertension.

A series of individual and household interviews will also be conducted to identify socio-economic characteristics of individual members and households, infant and young child feeding practices, maternal health and nutrition, status of food security, and level of awareness on DOST-FNRI programs and tools.

The survey results will be used as bases in crafting policies and nutrition tools such as the PPAN, food fortification program, ASIN law, PDRI, micronutrient supplementation, sin tax reform law, and many other health and nutrition-related initiatives in the local, regional and national government.

07/07/2025

T2ST5: PROJECT ORIENTATION and HOUSEHOLD LOCATION ✨

Saturday morning in Brgy. Lanawan, the DOST-FNRI Team 2 Subteam 5 gathered key community officials, local RHU staff and barangay health and nutrition workers to hold an orientation regarding the conduct of the updating survey.

MNAO Edison C. Ballaho presided the orientation and introduced the survey team to the members of the local community. On the other hand, Ms. Tess Ambayec, Team Leader, discussed the project’s objectives, components, its importance and the uses of its results. Moreover, all Brgy. Lanawan BHWs attended the said orientation and the team emphasized their significant roles and functions in the duration of the data collection — to serve as aide in the location of the households, to accompany the researchers in taking body measurements and will serve as translator during interviews — which are crucial in gathering quality and timely data on health and nutrition.

Afternoon of the same day, the team together with their local aides (BHWs) began locating the households and schedule families for body measurement taking the following day.

07/07/2025

DOST-FNRI’s 2025 Updating Survey’s Team 2 Subteam 5 is all-set for Tabuan Lasa ✨

Leading the subteam that is currently covering Tabuan Lasa’s Barangay Lanawan is Ms. Marites Ambayec, Project Technical Specialist III, together with her are Miss Lady Fiel Delfino, Miss Christine Espligues, Miss Nurfaiza Berik and Mr. Jon Clarence Dalion, all are Project Technical Specialists I.

The team will be in Brgy. Lanawan from July 04 to 14, 2025.

07/07/2025

Welcome to Basilan, DOST-FNRI Research Teams! ✨

On Friday, July 04 around 11 o’clock in the morning, nine (9) subteams of the big team 2 of the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) arrived in Isabela City, Basilan to conduct the 2025 Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipino Children and Other Population Groups, otherwise known as the 2025 Updating Survey, in five (5) randomly selected municipalities and one (1) component city in the province, to include the shining island municipality of Tabuan Lasa.

Upon their arrival at the city’s port, the teams traveled to Basilan Government Center (BGC) in Brgy. Sta Clara, Lamitan City to pay courtesy to Basilan Governor, Hon. Mujiv S. Hataman, who, during the said visit was in Cotabato City for an equally important meeting with the BARMM Ministers, but was represented by the Provincial Administrator and concurrent Provincial Human Resource Management and Development Officer, Mr. Manny C. Muarip. Team 2’s Assistant Team Coordinator (ATC), Miss Paula Escanilla, discussed and explained the survey’s objectives, components and the uses of the survey results.

The objective of this updating survey is to update the nutrition and health status of Filipinos in 2025 as input for the development and reformulation of policies and interventions at the regional and national levels. Survey components include: (1) anthropometry, (2) clinical and health, (3) socio-economic characteristics of households and individuals, (4) infant and young child feeding, (5) food security, (6) maternal health and nutrition and (7) awareness of DOST-FNRI programs and tools.

The Provincial Government of Basilan pledged to support this research endeavor as mandated by the national government and will ensure the safety of the researchers deployed in various areas of the province and the completeness and successful coverage of the survey.

For Tabuan Lasa, two (2) subteams will cover the randomly selected areas of Bukut Umus in Saluping Island and Lanawan in Lanawan Island for eleven (11) days. A total of nine (9) researchers composed of trained health professionals like nutritionists-dietitians and nurses will conduct the survey to randomly selected households/families. The teams assigned in Tabuan Lasa were received by Mr. Edison C. Ballaho, MNAO and concurrent OIC-MHO of Tabuan Lasa RHU. Mr. Ballaho accompanied the teams from the port to courtesy call to bringing them in their assign area.

The Tabuan Lasa Nutrition Office is grateful to Sahaya Mayor, Hon. Moner S. Manisan for the continued support given to every nutrition activity the office is implementing.

24/06/2025

17/06/2025

13/02/2025

PIMAM Shines on Sahaya Tabuan Lasa

Held on February 5-6, 2025, at the Tabuan Lasa Municipal Hall, the Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM) Orientation for Barangay Nutrition Workers (BNWs) of Tabuan Lasa Municipality took place on February 5-6, 2025, at the Tabuan Lasa Municipal Hall. The event aimed to equip the BNWs with essential skills and knowledge in identifying, managing, and preventing acute malnutrition in their communities.

The first day of the orientation began with a prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, led by Mr. Edison Ballaho, Nutritionist-Dietitian I and Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO). This created a reflective and patriotic atmosphere, setting a positive tone for the rest of the event. Hon. Moner S. Manisan, the Mayor of Tabuan Lasa, formally welcomed the participants with a heartfelt welcome message. He emphasized the importance of nutrition and the role of the Barangay Nutrition Workers in addressing malnutrition. Mayor Manisan’s speech highlighted the importance of working together to improve the health and nutrition status of the municipality.

Following the mayor’s message, Mr. Edison Ballaho introduced the facilitators and participants of the orientation, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among everyone involved. He then passed the floor to Ms. Jasmin Ahmad, Municipal Account Officer from the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), for the leveling of expectations. Ms. Ahmad outlined the objectives of the orientation, emphasizing the importance of the active participation of the Barangay Nutrition Workers throughout the event.

Mr. Ballaho also presented the Operation Timbang (OPT) 2024 results, which provided valuable data on the nutritional status of the municipality. This session allowed the participants to understand the scope of malnutrition in the area, helping them recognize the urgency of the interventions. Mr. Ballaho also gave an overview of the orientation and outlined the house rules, ensuring a smooth and effective flow of the sessions.

The first technical session of the day began with Ms. Adawiya A. Marung who discussed Module 1: Introduction to PIMAM. This module introduced the participants to the PIMAM framework, its components, and its overall impact in managing acute malnutrition at the community level.

Following this, Ms. Nadzwa S. Sabandal, the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), presented Module 2a: Identification of Acute Malnutrition. This session covered the various signs and indicators of acute malnutrition and the methods for identifying malnourished individuals in the community. The module was crucial for equipping the participants with the skills to detect malnutrition early.

The next session, Module 2b, was facilitated by Miss Hanan Musa Abubakar. She conducted a detailed demonstration on how to take accurate anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), and performing a physical assessment on edema. This practical training was essential, as these measurements are key tools in diagnosing malnutrition and assessing its severity. The following session, Module 3: Community Mobilization, was presented by Ms. Rowena H. Salahuddin, Provincial Assistant Nutrition Coordinator. Ms. Salahuddin emphasized the significance of community involvement in addressing malnutrition. She discussed strategies for mobilizing local resources and fostering active participation from barangay leaders and residents in nutrition programs.

Next, Ms. Lea Mae Z. Lajot presented Module 4: PIMAM Governance. This module focused on the governance and operational structure of PIMAM, outlining the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the successful implementation of the program. The session provided clarity on the roles of the local government units, barangay officials, and nutrition workers.

The day concluded with Ms. Marung’s presentation of Module 5: Out-Patient Therapeutic Care (OTC). She discussed the Out-Patient Therapeutic Care model, which enables the treatment of acutely malnourished children in an outpatient setting. This approach allows for the efficient management of malnutrition while minimizing the need for hospitalization, thus ensuring that care can be provided in remote areas.

Day 2 began with an opening prayer from one of the participants, creating a reflective atmosphere for the day’s sessions.
The focus of the entire morning session was on Module 8: Field Practicum on Anthropometric Measurements and Case Findings. This practical session was facilitated by Ms. Sabandal, Ms. Salahuddin, Ms. Lajot, Ms. Marung, Miss Abubakar, and Miss Tarang. During this session, the participants engaged in hands-on training where they practiced the skills learned on Day 1, including taking accurate anthropometric measurements and conducting case findings. This field practicum allowed the BNWs to apply the knowledge gained from the theoretical sessions, ensuring they were well-prepared for real-world situations.

Following the field practicum, the orientation transitioned into its final segment with the distribution of certificates to the participants. These certificates served as a recognition of the commitment and hard work of the Barangay Nutrition Workers in attending the orientation and learning the necessary skills to combat malnutrition in their communities.

The orientation officially concluded with a closing message from Ms. Nadzwa S. Sabandal, who thanked the participants for their dedication and active involvement throughout the sessions. She encouraged them to apply what they had learned and emphasized the critical role that each BNW plays in addressing the issue of acute malnutrition in Tabuan Lasa Municipality. Ms. Sabandal's closing remarks were inspiring, motivating the participants to continue their work with renewed enthusiasm and commitment to improving community health and nutrition.

The PIMAM Orientation for the Barangay Nutrition Workers of Tabuan Lasa Municipality was a highly successful event that provided essential knowledge and practical skills to the participants. The interactive sessions, led by expert facilitators, helped equip the BNWs with the tools necessary to identify and address acute malnutrition in their communities. The orientation also fostered a sense of unity and purpose among the participants, who left the event empowered and ready to make a meaningful impact on the nutritional health of their barangays.

The Tabuan Lasa Nutrition Office manned by Mr. Edison C. Ballaho extends its immense thanks and appreciation to Tabuan Lasa Mayor, Hon. Moner S. Manisan, for making this endeavor possible; to the Provincial Health Office - Nutrition Division team led by Ms. Nadzwa S. Sabandal and to the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) represented by Ms. Jasmin Ahmad, for their technical expertise and assistance shared to our participants; to the Acting Municipal Health Officer of RHU Tabuan Lasa, Dr. Eric Bim M. Delos Reyes and to the BHW Coordinator, Mr. Samir Angulo, for their unwavering support and commitment to improving the skills of our community nutrition workers. And lastly, to all our participants, our nutrition champions -- the barangay health and nutrition workers -- for their active participation and engagement on the 3-day PIMAM Orientation. Again, thanks to you all.

Provincial Government of Basilan LGU Tabuan Lasa MHO Tabuan-Lasa