The National Nutrition Council through Provincial Nutrition Coordinator (PNC) of ECCD F1K Ms. Zarah Clarice T. Megino released the 2nd tranche of funds to the local government of Candelaria through Honorable Mayor Macario D. Boongaling. for the ECCD-F1K program amounting to Php 921,250.00. The awarding of check was witnessed by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Ms. Graciella O. Ramos and Municipal Accountant Mr. Michael A. Morada to whom the ECCD F1K Program components and budget allotment were discussed.
The said downloaded fund was intended for F.Y. 2019 implementation of nutrition, health, social, and agricultural component of the program for the ECCD F1K beneficiaries – primarily pregnant and lactating women, mothers with 0-2 years old children and women of reproductive age planning to conceive. The program also caters to the Conditional Cash Transfer beneficiaries or 4Ps.
Under health and nutrition, nutrition education classes using Idol ko si Nanay module and participatory cooking demo will be done by the trained Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Barangay Health Workers, and Midwives in the upcoming trainings targeting 25 barangays with MNAO Ramos and MHO Dr. Alcantara as lead facilitators. A total of 75 barangay workers and 750 beneficiaries were trained on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, sanitation, among others. Furthermore, distribution of planting source material with budget of Php20,000 per barangay will also be given as this will serve as a supplemental source of fund for the establishment of a sustainable Home and Community Food Production (HCFP) component of the program. All targeted barangays already established F1K gardens that were well-maintained by beneficiaries and Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC) and were the primary sources of ingredients used for complementary feeding.
The municipality of Candelaria is one of the eight pilot areas in Quezon Province, and since the implementation of the Program, the Local Government is grateful for the support given by the national agency -National Nutrition Council- in helping improve the nutritional status of its constituents.ra
By Ms. Zara Clarice T. Megino, PNC ECCD F1K
