13/01/2026
Strengthening Nutrition Governance through OPT Plus Orientation for Key Nutrition Players in the Province of Iloilo
The PHO Nutrition Service, conducted a series of OPT Plus Orientations via Zoom Online from January 7 to January 16, 2026, engaging key nutrition stakeholders at the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels.
This series of orientations was deliberately designed to ensure that all nutrition players clearly understand their distinct yet complementary roles in the implementation of OPT Plus, data management through eOPT Plus, and the delivery of quality nutrition services for children and mothers, particularly those who are nutritionally at risk.
Rather than a one-time orientation, the province adopted a phased and sector-specific approach, recognizing that effective nutrition action requires strong coordination, shared accountability, and accurate data from planning to service delivery.
The orientation for Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) and Municipal Nutrition Coordinators (MNCs) on January 7, 2026 focused on strengthening leadership, planning, and oversight. As program managers, they play a critical role in ensuring that OPT Plus results are translated into responsive nutrition interventions and are aligned with the PPAN and local nutrition action plans.
On January 8, 2026, the orientation for BNS Coordinators and BNS Presidents emphasized their frontline role in mobilizing Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), supervising OPT implementation at the barangay level, and ensuring proper measurement, recording, and community engagement. Their leadership directly influences the quality of data and the reach of nutrition services to households.
The orientation for Rural Health Midwives (RHMs) on January 9, 2026 underscored the importance of integrating OPT Plus results into maternal, newborn, and child health services. RHMs are vital in identifying nutritionally at-risk children and mothers early and ensuring timely referral, counseling, and follow-through of appropriate health and nutrition interventions.
The eOPT Plus Focal Persons and Encoders, oriented on January 13, 2026, were equipped with standardized protocols on data encoding, validation, and error checking. Accurate and timely data entry is essential to generate reliable nutrition information that guides evidence-based decision-making, targeting of resources, and monitoring of childrenโs and mothersโ nutrition status.
Finally, the orientation for Punong Barangays and Barangay Kagawad, Chairpersons on Health and Nutrition on January 16, 2026 highlighted their role in policy support, resource mobilization, and community leadership. Their commitment ensures that OPT Plus activities are prioritized, supported with local resources, and sustained at the barangay level.
Overall, this series of OPT Plus orientations reflects the Province of Iloiloโs commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to nutrition. By capacitating all nutrition players according to their functions, the province strengthens the delivery of timely, accurate, and responsive nutrition services, ultimately ensuring that children grow healthy and mothers are well-nourished, cared for, and supported.
