February 2014 – Together with the staff of DOH Regional Office-MIMAROPA, OIC Carina Z. Santiago of National Nutrition Council–MIMAROPA, bade goodbye to Director Ariel I. Valencia, MD, MPH, CESO III and welcomed Dr. Eduardo C. Janairo, MD, MPH, CESO III as the new DOH Regional Director  for MIMAROPA.  OIC Santiago expressed her gratitude to outgoing Director Valencia, who took the lead as Regional Nutrition Committee Chair last year. It was a fruitful partnership with the outgoing director as many activities, programs and resolutions were done and passed.

In particular, Regional Development Council No. 045-296-2013 was passed last year through the efforts of the outgoing director. The resolution seeks for His Excellency President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, the secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Health and National Nutrition Council to recognize MIMAROPA as a regular region and to provide the requirements for a separate agency regional office of National Nutrition Council with full staff complement and budget for personal services and maintenance and other operating expenses in 2014 and onwards. 

Thrilled for a fresh start, OIC Santiago expects a strong partnership and support from the new director as jam-packed activities and programs are in-line for the whole year to combat and end malnutrition in the region.