4 February 2014—The National Nutrition Council-CAR (NNC-CAR) in coordination with the Provincial Nutrition Committee of Abra finally reached Tineg, one of the farthest upland municipalities in the Cordilleras. Because of its difficult topography, Tineg remains geographically inaccessible and beset with peace and order, and political conflicts. As a result, Tineg and its people have remained unserved and underserved, particularly of basic health and nutrition services.

OIC-Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ma. Eileen B. Blanco led the visit and checked the presence of nutrition and related programs. OIC Blanco and her team validated the records on Operation Timbang for years 2010 to 2012 noting that Tineg is one of the municipalities in the region with a high magnitude of undernutrition.

OIC Blanco challenged the Tineg’s local government unit led by Honorable Mayor Corinthia D. Crisologo to prioritize health and nutrition programs to improve the nutritional status of children and their families in the area. Mayor Crisologo and the members of the Municipal Nutrition Committee thanked NNC for visiting Tineg despite its distance and requested support in terms of technical assistance and capacity building. In turn, she challenged the MNC to plan and implement appropriate interventions to solve the malnutrition problems of the municipality. She added that nutrition is the foundation of good health, which is a key to achieving the municipality’s vision of productivity and development.

“Let us join hands in spreading that it is more fun in Tineg. Let the people of Tineg feel the presence of the government,” she happily concluded.