The year 2020 has been a challenging year. With the eruption of the Taal Volcano in January, disease outbreaks, typhoons, and the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 is indeed a year to remember. But amidst these challenges, the City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators (C/DNPC) of Metro Manila Association, Inc. was able to achieve notable accomplishments.
The Association’s accomplishments were presented by Ms. Joann Espiritu in her President’s Report during the first Association meeting for the year held on April 23, 2021. One of the most notable accomplishment is the establishment of the Online IYCF Counselling Project which already marked its one-year anniversary last April 8. The project was launched with the assistance from the National Nutrition Council – NCR (NNC-NCR) as part of the campaign in promoting proper infant and young children feeding (IYCF) practices amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other activities conducted in support of the Online IYCF Couselling Project were the development of the project guidelines, creation of Official C/DNPC Facebook Page, and core group meetings for the management of the Page. Regular meetings were also done to discuss updates, challenges encountered and recommendations to improve the counselling service.
A two-part case management discussion was held for the continuous improvement of skill set on IYCF counselling of the NCR Breastfeeding Friends (BFFs). The NCR BFFs are members of the C/DNPC Association who are licensed Nutritionist-Dietitians trained on IYCF who provide free counselling to mothers and caregivers to help them in their breastfeeding concerns, complementary feeding practices for children 6 months and above and even on childcare practice. To date, there are 49 BFFs from the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila.
Another notable accomplishment is the provision of retirement benefit and medical and calamity assistance to the affected members. Due to the increasing number of members affected with COVID-19, the Association decided to extend the provision of medical assistance to all affected members, either hospitalized, confined in an isolation facility or home quarantined. The Association provides the following assistance to their members:
- Medical Assistance – P3,000
- Survivorship assistance – P1,500.00
- Retirement benefit – P3,000.
The Association also donated P10,000.00 to the Taal Volcano Eruption Victims through the #ProjectTala of Bolunturismo PH. The Association, BNS Federation of NCR, NNC-NCR and other nutritionist-dietitians and barangay nutrition scholars in Metro Manila was able to donate a total of P50,100.00.
Other accomplishments were procurement of BOD polo shirt, finalization of the Amended Constitution and By-Laws, participation in the Webinar for PPAN Movers and renewal of the Association’s SEC and BIR Registration.
NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa Federizo congratulated the Officers and Board Members for their many accomplishments in 2020.
“Nakakatuwa makita na ang dami ninyong accomplishments for 2020 at naging significant and relevant and inyong Association during this time of pandemic,” RNPC Federizo said. “Ang NNC-NCR ay laging handang sumuporta sa lahat ng inyong activities,” she added.
The Association will conduct another meeting on May 19, 2021 to firm up their programs and activities for the year including the conduct of their 35th Annual Regional Conference.
Written by: NOII Theresa A. Rivas and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
