During the first “Virtual Meeting of the Calabarzon F1K Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (P/C/MNAOs)” for 2021 last January 19, several F1K areas presented their plans for sustaining the Early Childhood Care and Development in the First 1000 Days (ECCD-F1K).
As stated in No. 10, Sec. 3.2 of the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the LGU and NNC, “LGUs shall ensure the sustainability of the program and the inclusion in local nutrition plans, even when there is no more funding support for the F1K Program from the national level”.
Accordingly, the ECCD-F1K Program will now be funded by some of the LGUs of the F1K areas in CaLaBaRZon. This will ensure the sustainability of the program in 2021 and hopefully in the forthcoming years.
Sariaya, Quezon. In Sariaya Quezon, MNAO Reymundo Razon said that their F1K and Q1K programs are already included in their Project Procurement Management Plan (PPMP).
Aside from F1K Program, the LGU also provided 1.1-million-peso budget for nutrition alone and 2.2 million pesos for Nutrition in Emergencies (NIEm).
MNAO Razon also added that they proposed to the Sangguniang Bayan, the institutionalization of the Municipal Nutrition Action Office, to secure budget for nutrition and to add plantilla position for a Nutritionist-Dietitian.
Candelaria, Quezon. It was also reported that the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) which includes the 1 million budget for F1K Program was submitted by the government of Candelaria, Quezon to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
According to MNAO Graciella Ramos, the Idol ko si Nanay learning sessions have already been funded by the LGU since last year. They also launched Idol ko si Tatay learning session which is now on its second year. They invited real couples to be the participants of the said activities to strengthen the rearing of their child.
Buenavista, Quezon. All barangays in Buenavista, Quezon allotted budget for nutrition programs, including F1K activities like the “Mothers’ Class” with cooking demo (Idol ko si Nanay). The LGU also reported that they will not approve the barangay budget if there is no allotment for nutrition programs.
The municipality also allocated budget for the capacity building of nutrition workers such as “NIEm Training” and “Pabasa sa Nutrition.” They also provided free ultrasound tests and Hepa B screening for the pregnant women.
Mulanay and Pagbilao, Quezon. Other municipalities in Quezon which provided funds for the F1K Program are Mulanay and Pagbilao. Both municipalities sustained the distribution of seeds and dispersal of animals.
The barangays in Mulanay, Quezon also included Idol ko si Nanay learning sessions in their AIP.
Pagbilao, Quezon continues the visitation of pregnant women.
Rizal Province. In Rizal Province, the municipality of Rodriguez revised their plan for the Dietary Supplementation for Pregnant (DSP) Plan to launch the F1K Program in different barangays. They also have ongoing lectures on F1K for the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS).
Noteworthy are the above committed efforts of the Calabarzon LGUs to sustain the ECCD-F1K program funding. Not only do they signify support for the improvement of the nutritional situation of the region -- but also their dedication to their work as well .
By: Mary Emerene P. Pingol
