Across the world, Philippines is one of the countries with high rates of malnutrition such as stunting and wasting, and overcoming stunting is our hope and dreams for Philippine’s little angels. However, the COVID-19 Pandemic has threatened the health and nutrition of the vulnerable sectors which include pregnant women and young children. Moreover, health professionals are alarmed with the possibilities that malnutrition in the country will further increase if no interventions will be put in place.
With that, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) together with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Zero Hunger started the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program (TKSP) with the aspiration to reduce stunting among children aged 6 to 23 months old during the pandemic. And in Central Luzon, the Province of Nueva Ecija is included in the priority areas of the said program.
Last October 20 and 22, 2021, Provincial Nutrition Focal Point (PNFP) Celestine Joy Membrebe had visited the 10 target municipalities in the Province of Nueva Ecija to personally introduce the TKSP to their Local Chief Executives (LCEs) and Sangguniang Bayan for Health. PNFP Membrebe explained the TKSP’s goal and objectives and discussed the very important roles that the Local Government Units (LGUs) should carry out to achieve the success of this program. Mayor Allan Xystus Gamilla of the Municipality of Bongabon, Mayor Florida P. Esteban of the Municipality of Cuyaoo, Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson of the Municipality of Quezon, Councilor for Health Joyce Bulalayao of the Municipality of Zaragoza, and Councilor for Health Pamela Magno of the Municipality of San Isidro all expressed their support TKSP as they recognized the program as a great step to prevent and reduce stunting.
As part of the region’s social preparation, the NNC-Region III has requested the LGUs to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NNC to formalize their support for the implementation of the TKSP. Prior to MOU signing, the Sangguniang Bayan of each municipality also crafted a resolution authorizing the LCEs to have a MOU with the NNC, with the goal of supporting and adopting the TKSP in the coming years for sustainability.
Indeed, this is just a little step in starting the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program in Central Luzon but this will also have a big impact on achieving its objective because all things can be done when all sectors work together. And working hand-in-hand, little by little for these children will serve as our little steps to heaven-like world for our future generation.
By: Celestine Joy Membrebe, Provincial Nutrition Focal Point for ECCD First 1000 Days
