There were 600 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) who were given Nutribuns during the first month of the 90-day feedings for the “ECCD F1K Dietary Supplementation Program” (DSP) which kicked off recently in Southville 8b, Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Montalban, Rizal.

The program aims to prevent stunting among 0-23 months old children by improving the quality and quantity of nutrient intake of pregnant and lactating women, especially those who are nutritionally at-risk. Complementary feeding will also be provided to the stunted and wasted 6-23 months children to rehabilitate and improve their nutritional status.

Each PLW will receive 2 pieces of Nutribun daily which provides a total of 500 calories and 18 grams of protein. For the succeeding months, hot meals will be served to the beneficiaries in the second month and back to nutribun in the last month.

For the 250 stunted  and wasted beneficiaries, who are 6-23 months old,  hot meals will be provided everyday for 180 days. The hot meals are inspired by the recipes from the FNRI calendar and FNRI complementary food products such as mingo meals, rice mongo sesame blend and “momsie.”

Aside from feeding the body, the program also enhances the minds of the beneficiaries through the conduct of two batches of Idol Ko Si Nanay classes for selected beneficiaries.

There were a total of 60 participants, comprising 30 pregnant women and 30 caregivers of the undernourished children who attended the 10-module classes inclusive of lectures and actual food demonstrations.

The main objective of the nutrition education activity is to increase knowledge on “Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in the  First 1000 (F1K) Days” to  empower the mothers of 6-23 months old children.  

The DSP and “Idol Ko Si Nanay” classes are part of the ECCD-F1K Program implemented in Southville 8b, one of the F1K areas in CaLaBaRZon.

By: Mary Emerene P. Pingol