With the aim of planning for the recovery and rehabilitation of the vulnerable victims of the Taal Volcano eruption, the Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) of Calabarzon held its 3rd meeting on February 26, 2020 at the NNC Central Office, Taguig City.
Member agencies who attended the said meeting included DOH, DA, DSWD, DepEd, POPCOM, DOLE, and Kabisig ng Kalahi. Also present were representatives from the National Nutrition Cluster, specifically Ms. Janice P. Feliciano from DOH Central Office and Ms. Leah M. Felismino from NNC Central Office.
The cluster primarily discussed plans for the recovery and rehabilitation of victims affected by the recent Taal Volcano eruption, especially the evacuees in the two resettlement areas in Talaibon Interim Shelter and Malainin Rehabilitation Center. They are both in Ibaan and in Tumaway Evacuation Center in Talisay, in the province of Batangas. RNC member agencies pledged their commitments to help implement the activities in the recovery and rehab plan.
Plan Activities
Amongst the activities identified and included in the plan are the following:
First, the post-disaster assessment of nutritional status of affected population. POPCOM committed to monitor and evaluate nutritional status of teenage mothers, while DILG will be in-charge in the conduct of the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). Inventory of resources may be requested from them upon completion of the PDNA.
Secondly, the distribution of vegetable seeds for container gardening for food consumption and source of income. DA will be the lead agency and will provide the seeds and seedlings, as well as the gardening tools. DA will also provide a resource person for the food gardening demonstration of vegetables with nutritional value. DENR also pledged to provide seeds and seedlings. DILG will assist in the dissemination of communications, while DepEd will coordinate with the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) for the request of seedlings.
Third, the assessment of affected population for Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) and Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children and nutritionally-at-risk pregnant and lactating mothers. DOH and NNC will be the lead agencies. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the affected population will be done to ensure improvement of their nutritional status. Also, identified MAM and SAM children during the conduct of Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) will be included in the tracking and validation.
Next activity is the relactation seminar and orientation on complementary feeding for mothers in the relocation areas and affected communities. DOH and NNC will also spearhead this activity with DILG committing to post IEC materials through the official Facebook page of DILG IV-A for further advocacy.
Other Activities
Other activities identified are continuous provision of breastmilk donation for mothers in relocation areas and affected LGUs, prioritizing infants 0-6 months, and the monitoring of nutrition commodities. Pasteurized breastmilk and nutrition supplies will be continuously provided by DOH and NNC to ensure their availability in all Rural Health Units (RHUs) in the region.
Also included is the creation of Executive Order (EO) 51 Task Force in each city/ municipality to intensify awareness of local chief executives, barangay officials and school principals on EO 51, more commonly known as the “Philippine Milk Code”. DOH and NNC will again take the lead in this activity. DepEd pledged to include EO 51 as one of their agenda in a meeting with their medical officers of school divisions and include them in the task force. They will also orient their nurses regarding the Milk Code. POPCOM also will assist in the creation of the task force and in the dissemination of the Milk Code in the affected LGUs.
Lastly, livelihood programs and projects will also be provided. DOLE and BFAR will be the lead agencies and will provide assistance and skills trainings to the evacuees.
Highlight Projects
One of the highlight projects for the recovery and rehabilitation of the victims is the establishment of community Nutri-kitchen for 6-59 months old children, in which several agencies expressed their intent to help in the setup. DOH will develop the menu and recipe guide and will cover expenses for the complementary feeding of 6-23 months old children. Meanwhile, DSWD will shoulder expenses for the supplementary feeding of children 24-59 months (2-5 years) old. POPCOM will provide kitchen utensils for individual families while Kabisig ng Kalahi will provide food and kitchen utensils for the community kitchen itself. DOLE also pledged to coordinate with suppliers regarding donation of kitchen utensils.
Another highlight project identified to be conducted is the “RNC Caravan” at Talaibon Interim Shelter in Ibaan, wherein several activities mentioned above will be organized into one event. The caravan will consist the following activities: launching of the Supplementary Feeding Program for children 6-59 months old, provision of seeds, seedlings, and gardening tools to the evacuees for backyard and community gardening, and provision of livelihood programs and projects especially for families with 0-59 months children and pregnant and lactating women.
Sustainability
Nutrition aid providers need to continuously direct their efforts at enabling populations to build their capacity and decrease the vulnerability of the majority, thus enhancing their preparedness for any future disaster. The RNC hopes that all activities will be realized and taken into action by the end of 2020 so as to improve the nutritional status of the remaining Batangueños affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.
By: Ezra Minette B. Lasin
