CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - This province recently welcomed the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) of Aparri, Cagayan and the MNCs of Burgos and Aurora, Isabela for the first ever Learning Hub for Enhanced and Revitalized Nutrition (LHEARN) endeavor for Cagayan Valley.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Maria Gisela Lonzaga said the LHEARN project is a capacity-building platform that facilitates the sharing and exchange of knowledge and experiences on nutrition program management between the LHEARN site and the learner LGU and among the three main components of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition Peer Learning Approach.

Lonzaga who is the overall head of the LHEARN Project in Region 2 shared that the project was kicked-off in Quirino after her advocacy meeting with the Quirino Provincial Nutrition Services Division led by Luningning Rhodes and with Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Mila Villar who is also the Provincial nutrition action officer of the province.

“Using the LHEARN selection and validation tool, Quirino Province is capable to be a LHEARN site having complied the set criteria, being a Nutrition Honor Awardee, home of nutrition champions, and with its exemplary nutrition program management,” Lonzaga said.

During the activity, Nutrition Program Coordinator Luningning P. Rhodes and some Provincial Nutrition Committee members shared valuable insights and experiences on Quirino’s journey to Nutrition Highest Award (NHA) in 2015 and its efforts to NHA sustainability that led to its outstanding performance recognition from 2021 to present.

Meanwhile, Board Member Elizabeth Saure, chair on Health Committee who spoke on behalf of Governor Dax Cua stressed the importance of collaboration and linkage to push nutrition and development.

“This event is a testament to the power of teamwork and dedication of the Provincial Nutrition Committee of Quirino, as the Municipal Nutrition Committee of Aparri, Cagayan, Burgos and Aurora in Isabela, came together to learn from Quirino’s  experiences being a Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) recognized area,” Saure said. (TCB/PIA Quirino)