Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan will complete the training of PGN-IYCF in 50% of barangays targeted for 2013.The five-day training sponsored by the National Nutrition Council started October 7, 2013 and will end on February 15, 2014 to complete the 88 batches of trainings.

The goal of the training is to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition through correct nutrition information and behavior modification. 100% of municipalities and priority nutritionally depressed barangays in these provinces will be covered. In each barangay, four participants from among the Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Barangay Health Worker, Kagawad on Health, Mother Leader or Midwife will be trained.

The training-workshop will enhance knowledge and skills on the promotion of desirable infant and young child feeding practices, basic nutrition among families and the promotion of egg and vegetables including the key messages of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF).

All the modules for the municipal level training were used for the barangay level training with some modification. A variety of learning methods to enhance learning like lecture-discussions, role-plays, demonstrations, practice sessions and group activities were used.

After this training, participants are expected to recruit and orient IYCF peer counselors, lead the organization of IYCF support groups that will follow-up and counsel pregnant and lactating mothers and mothers with young children, conduct nutrition education sessions using modules on Pabasa sa Nutrisyon and Egg and Vegetable syllabi.