CANDELARIA, Quezon, November 19 – The municipality of Candelaria congratulates the first 34 graduates (from different barangays and municipalities) of the Idol Ko si Tatay Learning Sessions . The learning sessions on the Early Childhood Care in the First 1000 Days was held at Villesta Foodhaus, Brgy. Pahinga Norte, Candelaria, Quezon last November 19, 2019.
The 1-day nutrition education activity aims to promote and increase the engagement of fathers in caring for mother and children to ensure optimal development of the children in the first 1000 days of life. It was spearheaded by Dr. Clemente Alcala Jr., Candelaria’s Municipal Health Officer (MHO), and Ms. Graciella Ramos, Candelaria’s Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO). They also served as speakers for the event, together with three other members from Municipal Health Office: Josefina Ramirez (RHMMs), Julieta Liwag (RHM) and Ms. Mildred Landicho (nurse).
In coordination with the Municipal Link of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), around 50 fathers were invited to attend the learning sessions. Priority was given to fathers whose wives were pregnant or lactating, whose children were below 5 years old and who have plans of having another baby. Topics discussed in the learning sessions were requested from NNC through Ms. Zarah Clarice T. Megino, the Provincial Nutrition Coordinator for Quezon Province.
In ensuring maximum learning for the fathers during the activity, Dr. Alcala provided the introduction and overview of ECCD F1k Program, discussed the role of an Idol Tatay in the First 1000 Days, explained responsible parenthood and birth spacing, and pointed out how to keep tatay healthy (through prevention and management of lifestyle related diseases and getting ready for pregnancy by supporting women before pregnancy).
Ms. Liwag discussed subjects on safe sex during pregnancy, care and feeding practices for newborns and care for lactating women, while Ms. Ramirez stressed the importance of responsive feeding (feeding time and learning time as one). In addition, Ms. Landicho, expounded on the topics on care for mothers during pregnancy and Tatay’s support to breastfeeding (father kangaroo and cup feeding).
Furthermore, Ms. Ramos focused on the importance of considering the optimal age to start complementary feeding and monitoring the child’s growth and development milestones. She also introduced to the participants the different complementary foods and its preparation, the growth chart of children and their different developmental milestones.
Additional topics shared by the speakers with the fathers were psychologically motivating and envigorated bonding moments with children, caring for sick children through prevention and management of common illness and the value of the role of an Idol Tatay in protecting and promoting child’s rights.
Via phone interview, Idol Tatay graduates Tatay Fernando, Tatay Zoilo and Tatay Alin shared that it was indeed a very informative day for all the fathers who joined the activity. What stricked them the most was the importance of breastfeeding for their children, on time delivery of complementary food, how to be a responsible Idol Tatay and the importance of family planning.
The “Idol ko si Tatay” learning sessions is one of the initiatives in addressing the problem of malnutrition in the country (specifically stunting). The Early Childhood Care and Development in the First 1000 Days (ECCD F1K) Program was launched in different areas in the archipelago. The ECCD F1K program is composed of different interventions on health, nutrition, early learning, social services and others (agricultural) that focuses on the first 1000 days of life of an individual which is start from conception up to two years of age.
In 2016, the Municipality of Candelaria was chosen as one of the pilot areas for the implementation of F1K Program. Since then, the LGU received funds downloaded by the National Nutrition Council for the conduct of different activities such as social preparation, ECCD trainings and nutrition education, establishment of home and community gardens, special events, learning exchange visits for program implementers and target beneficiaries, local media campaign for ECCD, and conduct of technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation.
For the past 3 years, the municipality showed exemplary performance in the implementation of activities for ECCD F1K Program, especially on the conduct of nutrition education for mothers and caregivers. From the 2 tranche of funds provided by NNC, hundreds of mothers, caregivers, barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) and barangay health workers (BHW) were able to graduate from DOST Pinoy modules, Idol Ko Si Nanay sessions and Monitoring of Developmental Milestones of children.
A positive outcome of the learning sessions is that based on feedback of the tatays, they showed interest in encouraging other fathers to attend similar events in the future. Meanwhile, according to Ms. Ramos, another batch of Idol Ko Si Tatay will be conducted this year.
By: Ma. Jhonnadelle Ritz H. Castillo
