ALAMINOS CITY— During this pandemic, the beneficiaries of the city’s duck raising are now benefitting from the project as their most accessible source of protein food and additional source of income especially during this time where source of living to most are interrupted.

This is one of the component of the Early Childhood Care and Development in the First 1000 Days program (ECCD-F1K) intervention package piloted by the National Nutrition Council in the city under home and community food production where establishment of home gardens and small animal raising are strongly encouraged to help household in having sustainable access to safe and nutritious food for their daily dietary needs and eventually help the family’s concerns on malnutrition.

The said project was then established in 2018 where the city nutrition committee (CNC) distributed 3,000 mature ducks to 500 households and additional 200 beneficiaries were benefited in 2019.

Each beneficiary who are families with 0-23 months old children, pregnant and lactating women received 1 male and 5 female ducks and encouraged to breed the ducks as their additional food and income source which eventually succeeded over time.

Other beneficiaries are also reaching out with their in need neighborhood by sharing some of their produce and even the duck eggs.

The undeniable relevant of the project further encouraged other non-beneficiary households to strive for this kind of livelihood.

How did the project really progressed? It is accordingly due to the excellent functionality and compassion of the CNC and the City Nutrition Office of Alaminos, Pangasinan in uplifting the quality of life of their constituents by ensuring their nutritional well-being.   Proper coordination in every department at the local government unit through the strong leadership of its local chief executive and intensive monitoring of the nutrition office with support and proactive efforts of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars also contributed to the success of the program.

Also, the unwavering support of the Barangay Nutrition Committees and the beneficiaries themselves ensured the efficient and effective implementation and sustainability despite limited movement within the barangays.

This endeavor indeed served its noble purpose on household food security especially in this trying time and for the coming more challenging days./HJAB