About NNC-CAR

The National Nutrition Council – Cordillera Administrative Region (NNC-CAR) is the regional office of the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the country's highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition. The NNC operates under the Department of Health (DOH) and leads multisectoral efforts to address hunger and malnutrition and promote nutritional adequacy for all Filipinos. It was established through Presidential Decree No. 491, or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, in 1974.

NNC-CAR serves as the secretariat of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC)-CAR, the regional structure responsible for overseeing the progressive implementation of the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN) and for integrating and harmonizing actions for nutrition improvement across the Cordillera Administrative Region.

NNC-CAR works closely with regional government agencies, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations, private organizations, academe, civil society, media, and other stakeholders to strengthen nutrition governance and ensure that nutrition policies, plans, programs, and services are translated into coordinated action at the regional and local levels.

Guided by the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028, NNC-CAR supports efforts toward improved nutrition outcomes through policy and program coordination, monitoring and evaluation, nutrition promotion, surveillance, technical assistance, and capacity development. PPAN 2023–2028 is the country's six-year strategic and directional plan for nutrition improvement and is aligned with AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.

Mandate and Functions

As mandated by Presidential Decree No. 491, the National Nutrition Council serves as the policy, coordinating, and advisory body on food, nutrition, and health concerns.

Its functions include:

1. Formulating national food and nutrition policies and strategies and serving as the policy, coordinating, and advisory body on food, nutrition, and health concerns;

2. Coordinating the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the national nutrition program;

3. Coordinating hunger mitigation and malnutrition prevention programs and related efforts to improve nutrition outcomes;

4. Strengthening the competencies and capabilities of nutrition stakeholders through public education, capacity building, and skills development;

5. Coordinating the mobilization of resources in support of nutrition programs; and

6. Calling upon government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and other instrumentalities for assistance in the form of personnel, facilities, and resources as the need arises.

At the regional level, NNC-CAR operationalizes these functions by providing coordination, technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and other forms of support to regional and local nutrition stakeholders.

NNC-CAR's Major Areas of Work

NNC-CAR carries out its mandate through four major areas of work:

1. Policy Formulation and Coordination

NNC-CAR facilitates and supports the formulation, adoption, dissemination, and implementation of regional nutrition policies, plans, strategies, and related guidelines.

As secretariat of the RNC-CAR, the office supports the coordination of nutrition-related programs and commitments of regional agencies and other stakeholders. It assists in aligning regional and local nutrition actions with national policies and plans, particularly the PPAN 2023–2028 and the RPAN.

At the local level, NNC-CAR provides support to LGUs in nutrition planning, including the formulation and updating of Local Nutrition Action Plans (LNAPs). It also coordinates with regional line agencies and participates in relevant inter-agency bodies and mechanisms where nutrition concerns and nutrition-related interventions are addressed.

Through these efforts, NNC-CAR helps promote a coordinated and multisectoral approach to addressing malnutrition and improving food and nutrition security in the Cordillera.

2. Nutrition Surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation

NNC-CAR supports the generation, management, analysis, and use of nutrition information to guide planning, implementation, monitoring, and decision-making at the regional and local levels.

One of the key nutrition surveillance activities is Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus), the regular annual growth assessment of children aged 0–59 months conducted in barangays across the country. OPT Plus helps identify and locate families with malnourished preschool children and provides information on the nutrition situation of communities. The results are used to support planning, follow-up, intervention, and program monitoring.

NNC-CAR also supports the implementation of the Data Quality Check (DQC) for OPT Plus. DQC assesses the accuracy, reliability, completeness, timeliness, and usefulness of OPT Plus results. It includes supportive supervision, assessment of data quality, capacity mapping of nutrition personnel and anthropometric equipment, consolidation of results, feedbacking, and identification of areas requiring technical support.

Another key mechanism is the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Protocol (MELLPI Pro). MELLPI Pro assesses the implementation of Local Nutrition Action Plans and the performance of Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFPs). It also provides information on the progress of nutrition plan implementation at the local level. Results are consolidated and analyzed to guide the improvement and updating of nutrition policies, plans, and programs.

NNC-CAR likewise supports the use of nutrition information systems and other mechanisms for nutrition program management. These include the National Nutrition Information System (NNIS), the Nutrition in Emergencies Reporting System (NIE RS), and the Nutrition Management Information System (NMIS).

The NNIS is intended to harmonize national and local nutrition databases and support the identification of population groups and localities with significant hunger and undernutrition concerns. It also serves as a database for children aged 0–59 months through OPT Plus and supports nutrition information management during emergencies.

The Nutrition Management Information System (NMIS) is a web-based platform designed to consolidate LGU administrative information relevant to nutrition program planning and policy. Its information includes local demographics, nutrition profiles, human resources, organizational structures, nutrition budget allocations, and available program resources. It also encompasses information on Local Nutrition Committee functionality, anthropometric equipment, nutrition offices and personnel, and directories of local nutrition workers.

NNC-CAR also supports mechanisms such as the Local Nutrition Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security (LNEWS-FNS). LNEWS-FNS helps local governments identify, discuss, and analyze existing or emerging concerns that may threaten food and nutrition security and facilitates coordinated planning and resource allocation in response to these concerns.

Through these mechanisms, NNC-CAR promotes the use of reliable and timely nutrition information as a basis for evidence-informed planning, programming, monitoring, and technical assistance.

3. Promotion of Good Nutrition

NNC-CAR promotes good nutrition through advocacy, communication, social and behavior change activities, and nutrition education initiatives implemented in collaboration with regional and local partners.

The office supports the dissemination of evidence-based nutrition information and the promotion of healthy practices among individuals, families, communities, and institutions. Communication activities may include radio and digital platforms, information and education materials, community outreach, media engagement, and participation in relevant sectoral celebrations and events.

NNC-CAR also coordinates with partners in the annual Nutrition Month celebration, bringing the national nutrition advocacy campaign closer to communities throughout the Cordillera.

Among the communication platforms supported by NNC are radio-based nutrition education initiatives, including the Nutriskwela Community Radio Network Program, as well as social media and other information channels.

Through these efforts, NNC-CAR aims to strengthen public awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities, and institutions to take meaningful action toward better nutrition.

4. Technical Assistance and Capacity Development

NNC-CAR provides technical assistance and capacity development to regional and local nutrition stakeholders to strengthen their ability to plan, implement, monitor, and sustain effective nutrition programs.

Technical assistance may cover nutrition planning and governance, local nutrition program management, monitoring and evaluation, nutrition surveillance, data management, advocacy and communication, and other areas identified through program monitoring and assessment.

Capacity development activities may include orientations, training programs, planning workshops, learning sessions, technical consultations, coaching, mentoring, and other forms of assistance provided to LGUs and nutrition stakeholders.

NNC-CAR works particularly closely with Local Nutrition Committees (LNCs) and local nutrition focal points, including Provincial Nutrition Action Officers, District Nutrition Program Coordinators, City and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers and Nutrition Program Coordinators, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

Through these interventions, NNC-CAR helps strengthen local capacities to translate nutrition policies and plans into responsive, adequately supported, and sustainable actions.

The Regional Nutrition Committee – CAR

The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC)-CAR serves as the regional structure that oversees the progressive implementation of the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN). It provides a mechanism for integrating and harmonizing actions for nutrition improvement among regional stakeholders. NNC-CAR serves as its secretariat.

The RNC-CAR's major roles and functions include:

• formulating regional nutrition policies and programs;

• coordinating the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the regional nutrition program;

• mobilizing concerned agencies and resources as needed;

• providing or facilitating technical assistance to LGUs on nutrition program management;

• creating technical working groups or core groups to address specific nutrition concerns and strengthen inter-agency coordination; and

• serving as the nutrition cluster during disasters and emergencies.

The Regional Technical Assistants on Nutrition (RTAN) serve as the technical arm of the RNC. They are designated technical representatives from RNC member agencies who contribute their respective agency expertise to regional nutrition planning, implementation, monitoring, and technical assistance.

RNC member agencies contribute to nutrition improvement through the implementation of nutrition and nutrition-related programs within their respective mandates and commitments, participation in regional nutrition activities and monitoring, designation of nutrition focal persons, promotion of nutrition in the workplace, and submission of relevant reports to the RNC.

Recognizing Excellence in Nutrition

NNC-CAR, together with the Regional Nutrition Committee, supports the recognition of LGUs and local nutrition stakeholders that demonstrate strong performance in nutrition program implementation.

Through MELLPI Pro, the performance of LGUs and Local Nutrition Focal Points is assessed based on established criteria. The results contribute to the identification of high-performing LGUs and nutrition workers and provide opportunities to recognize good practices and sustained performance in nutrition.

The Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) serves as an important venue for recognizing outstanding nutrition performers in the region. It highlights the accomplishments of LGUs and local nutrition focal points and encourages continued commitment to improving nutrition outcomes.

The recognition of good performance is not only about awards. It also provides opportunities to document and share effective practices that may be adapted by other LGUs and partners.

Working Together for Better Nutrition

Nutrition improvement requires coordinated action across sectors and levels of government.

NNC-CAR works with regional agencies, LGUs, development partners, civil society organizations, private organizations, academe, media, and other stakeholders to strengthen nutrition governance and ensure that nutrition remains integrated into development planning and service delivery.

At the local level, NNC-CAR supports Local Nutrition Committees and local nutrition focal points in strengthening nutrition planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, data management, advocacy, and coordination.

At the regional level, the RNC-CAR provides a platform for agencies and partners to align their programs, resources, and expertise toward shared nutrition goals. Through the RTAN and other coordination mechanisms, regional agencies contribute technical expertise and support to nutrition initiatives.

This multisectoral approach recognizes that nutrition is influenced by health, food systems, agriculture, social protection, education, sanitation, livelihood, governance, and other determinants. Addressing malnutrition therefore requires sustained collaboration and coordinated action across sectors.

Our Commitment

NNC-CAR remains committed to strengthening nutrition governance and supporting coordinated, evidence-informed, and sustainable action toward improved nutrition in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Through policy and program coordination, nutrition surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, promotion of good nutrition, technical assistance, and capacity development, NNC-CAR works with its partners to translate national and regional nutrition priorities into meaningful action at the local level.

Together with the Regional Nutrition Committee, LGUs, regional agencies, and other stakeholders, NNC-CAR works toward a nutritionally secure Cordillera where individuals, families, and communities are better equipped to achieve and sustain good nutrition.

Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat.