The moment you accept responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you gain the power to change anything in your life”.
The municipality of Asipulo that encompasses the municipality’s vision towards sustainable development which is not only limited to physical infrastructure but includes all other development efforts towards improved lives of the Asipuloans. Asipulo, the land of beauty and harmony, is the youngest municipality of Ifugao since its separation from Kiangan in 1992. It is a fifth-class municipality with ten barangays and three Special Economic Zones.
Passion for nutrition and serving the public has been at the roots of Mr. Taguilingon. He graduated with a degree in education and has been in public service as Municipal Nutrition Action Officer at the Municipal Health Office of Asipulo since 2016.
Mr. Jimmy B. Taguilingon, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) for seven years, said that the successful implementation of nutrition programs in the municipality is credited to the harmonious work of the supportive and committed Local Chief Executives (LCE), municipal officials, Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC), Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNC), and the empowered community. Also, the stakeholders’ involvement highly funded the health and nutrition services and priority programs in the municipality. This inspired him to continue with the nutrition programs the previous NAOs have started and supported.
Mr. Taguilingon supports BNCs by attending their meetings, and monitoring and evaluating all barangays. He also provides technical assistance in formulating the Barangay Nutrition Action Plan (BNAP) and updating nutrition-related policies and laws and other nutrition-related activities. To further reach the constituents in the municipality, Mr. Taguilingon translated nutrition-related policies into local nutrition programs. Moreover, he ensured 100% implementation of activities in the Municipal Nutrition Action Plan (MNAP) evidenced by the sustained execution of particular programs such as the CHIOBUHA which stands for “Come Help Individuals Overcome and Battle Undernutrition Here in Asipulo”. This is an innovative program where malnourished children receive essential nutrition supplements sponsored by members of the MNC and other kind-hearted individuals. Another is the conduct of the “Search for the Best Performing Ayod/Oban” to commend the BNCs and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in 13 barangays for addressing the municipality’s malnutrition. He also sourced funds from supportive stakeholders like the HAPAG-ASA Foundation, Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), and other cooperatives.
Mr. Taguilingon believes that when a nutrition worker is dedicated, sincere, and responsible, successful implementation of nutrition programs is achieved, like what Asipulo did. Mr. Taguilingon hopes they will be able to inspire other municipalities and nutrition workers to share their success stories on nutrition in the near future.
Yrgyl Sucdad/ Bella Basalong
