16 May 2018 – In order to strengthen and intensify advocacy for exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding in the municipality of Kalayaan, the Kalayaan Breastfeeding Patrol Support Group conducted a general assembly at the Macy’s Events Place in Barangay Longos, Kalayaan, Laguna. A total of 107 mothers including the new members of the group attended the general assembly, who were oriented by the regional offices of the National Nutrition Council and the Department of Health, as well as staff of the Rural Health Unit.
Mayor Leni M. Adao formally opened the event by welcoming everyone and proudly sharing about her own breastfeeding experiences to her four (4) children who are now successful in their respective professions. She said that all her children were breastfed until 2 years old or even more. Ms. Carina Z. Santiago, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of National Nutrition Council – CaLaBaRZon, gave a keynote message that highlighted the strategies on how Kalayaan can improve its efforts towards being a mother-baby friendly community. She acknowledged the efforts of the LGU to establish the breastfeeding support group starting in 2014, and further strengthening and increasing the efforts of the support group to date. Ms. Minnie Agana, Midwife I, and Ms. Edelane Acueza, Nurse II of Kalayaan, Laguna presented the Breastfeeding TSEK: Tama, Sapat at EKslusibo which tackles the importance of breastfeeding, busting myths about it, and the common problems being experienced by the mothers and the remedies for the problems. Ms. Suzette Espallardo, Nutrition Program Assistant, Department of Health – CaLaBaRZon, discussed the complementary feeding and the importance of timely and adequate introduction of complementary feeding to their babies. Mr. Edzell Arcinue, Nutrition Officer III of National Nutrition Council – CaLaBaRZon presented the TSEK Forms which are to be used by the members of the support group to further improve their report submission and records keeping.
To ensure that knowledge was truly imparted to the participants, a Nutri-quiz was conducted. Questions were derived from the topics discussed. The mothers gladly participated and answered questions. Prizes from the National Nutrition Council, Department of Health and the Local Government Unit of Kalayaan, Laguna were given to the winners.
Vice-Mayor Laarni Lopez closed the event by thanking everyone for their participation and sharing her hopes for the success of the support group. The event was spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office of Kalayaan, Laguna through Hon. Mayor Leni Adao, with the assistance of the Municipal Nutrition Action Office of Kalayaan, Laguna through MNAO Dina Ramiro. The Kalayaan Breastfeeding Patrol Support Group is one of the best practices of the municipality. Kalayaan will be awarded the 1st Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award during the 2018 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in July. (Edzell M. Arcinue)
