The National Nutrition Council at the National Capital Region is committed to support the implementation of the Republic Act 11148 in the region. RA 11148 more commonly known as “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” aims to strengthen the national and local health and nutrition programs for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, infants and young children in the first 1000 days.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo and Nutrition Officer III Emerenciana L. Francia were among the participants that expressed their commitment and support to the First 1000 Days Program during the Nutrition in the First 1000 Days Forum conducted by the Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MM-CHD) on June 28, 2019 at Hotel H2O, Manila. The forum was attended by representatives from the seventeen (17) LGUs of Metro Manila and partner agencies.
During the technical session, DOH Supervising Health Program Officer Ms. Luz Tagunicar discussed the Salient Features of RA 11148 while the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law were discussed by Save the Children Health and Nutrition Advisor Dr. Amado Parawan.

In the afternoon, a talk show on the Models of a Strategic Focus on the First 1000 Days was held and anchored by MM-CHD Nutritionist-Dietitian IV Ms. Josefina Serneo. The panel composed of Mr. Jefferson Gregorio, Senior Program Officer of Save the Children, Ms. Carleneth San Valentin of World Vision, and Ms. Jai Sideco, Nutritionist-Dietitian of Quezon City Health Department showcased the different strategies/activities done by their organization/office with focus on the first 1000 days.

After the talk show, all the participants gave their commitment and support to the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act led by Dr. Janice Kathleen R. Malesido, Head of the Family Health Cluster of MM-CHD.

“We need to take care of the children for them to be healthy adults. Let us not be tired of doing good because in the end, we will reap a harvest”, MM-CHD Regional Director Dr. Corazon I. Flores said in her closing message.

An interactive booth was set-up at the venue by NNC-NCR where participants had the chance to get a prize upon completing the First 1000 Days Quiz. The booth was manned by Nutrition Officers Theresa Rivas and Mary Agnes Beatrice Menorca. They distributed flyers on the First 1000 Days and administered the First 1000 Days Quiz. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)