The National Nutrition Council – NCR (NNC-NCR) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Marketing Agreement with DAR-Region III and ARBO in support of the implementation of Tutok Kainan for Pregnant Women in Metro Manila.
The signing ceremony was held on May 20, 2021 at Clark Marriott Hotel, Pampanga witnessed by representatives from DAR-Region III and DAR Provincial Office in Pampanga. Representatives from DAR Central Office, Office of the Cabinet Secretary, and nutritionist-dietitians from the cities of Caloocan and Navotas were also virtually present during the ceremony via Zoom.
The Tutok Kainan is part of the National Dietary Supplementation Program of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 that aims to contribute to the prevention of stunting among children 0-23 months old by improving the quality and quantity of food and nutrient intakes of nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women and children 6-23 months. The program includes the daily provision of enhanced Nutribun during the first month, hot meals in the second month, and nutribun with ready-to-eat lipid-based nutritional supplement during the 3rd month to pregnant women.
Based on the program guidelines, food items for the hot meals should be procured from DAR-assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) to support and promote their economic recovery amidst COVID-19 pandemic.
NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa Federizo thanked DAR-Region III for the assistance in linking NNC-NCR with ARBOs in the region and in identifying Sto. Tomas San Luis Farmers Association, Inc. from Pampanga City as the ARBO that will supply the commodities for the hot meals in the four (4) program areas in NCR: Caloocan, Navotas, Pateros, and Parañaque. She hopes that the partnership among NNC-NCR, DAR-Region III and Sto. Tomas San Luis Farmers Association will flourish and be sustained.
“May the signing of the MOU and Marketing Agreement be just the beginning of a fruitful partnership in alleviating hunger and malnutrition through the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program”, RNPC Federizo said.
In her message, DAR-Region III Director, Atty. Maria Celestina Tam expressed her excitement for this partnership with NNC-NCR since it will provide more opportunities to help their farmers. “I hope that this partnership will continue gearing towards uplifting the economic status of famers while ensuring the proper nutrition for all mothers and children,” Atty. Tam added.
Sto. Tomas-San Luis Farmers Association President, Ms. Fredeliza Miranda also pledged her support to the program by ensuring that the required commodities will be delivered complete and on time.
“Gagawin namin ang lahat para maging matagumpay ang programa at matulungan at maitaguyod ang kabuhayan ng aming kapwa magsasaka,” Ms. Miranda said. She added, “Masaya po kami sa aming asosasyon at kami ay parte ng makabuluhang programang ito. Di lang kami makatutulong sa mga buntis at mga sanggol, kumikita pa kami sa aming pagtulong,”.
DAR Undersecretaries Ms. Virginia L. Orogo (for Policy, Planning and Research) and Atty. Emily O. Padilla (for Support Services) gave their messages on behalf of DAR Central Office while the message of NNC Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang was delivered by RNPC Federizo.
Cabinet Secretary and Chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, Atty. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles also delivered his keynote message through a recorded video.
The signing of the MOU and Marketing Agreement formalizes the partnership of NNC-NCR with DAR-Region III and Sto. Tomas San Luis Farmers Association to ensure the commitment and support of all parties in the implementation of Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program in NCR which will tentatively start in July 2021.
Written by: NOII Theresa A. Rivas and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
