Millions of Filipinos are affected by malnutrition especially the vulnerable population which includes preschool children, pregnant and lactating women. The continuous problem of undernutrition is further worsened by the low but increasing rates of overnutrition in the country. As part of the actions undertaken by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGU) and other partner organizations, Nutriskwela Community Radio Stations were established in areas with high malnutrition prevalence to empower the community through the dissemination of correct, current and relevant information on nutrition and health as well as educational and developmental information from all relevant sectors of the community, government agencies, and non-government organizations.
In 2013, the NNC engaged the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) – Bansud and the LGU of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro to establish a community radio station in the area. Through this project, the NNC provided equipment such as an FM transmitter, antenna, microphones, computers and other relevant paraphernalia to be utilized for starting a community radio station. The role of the partner agency/LGU is to provide the manpower, location, and other necessities to make the radio station fully functional. Through the efforts of NNC, PUP-Bansud, and LGU of Bansud, Radyo Kaunlaran 99.7 Bansud headed by station manager Engineer Fernando F. Estingor, Oriental Mindoro has been airing nutrition and health-related programs since 2013. In addition to this, Radyo Kaunlaran also airs public service programs presided by representatives from different agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council, Bansud Rural Health Unit (RHU), Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Bansud, and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Currently, Radyo Kaunlaran is solely handled by the LGU of Bansud but with the location still at PUP Bansud Campus. It reaches six municipalities in Oriental Mindoro including Bansud, Bongabong, Gloria, Pinamalayan, Socorro, and Pola.
In order to assess the established community radio stations, a regular, semi-annual monitoring is being conducted by the NNC regional office. Through the years, improvements in the radio station currently managed by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO)/Radio Station Manager Ms. Cresentina N. Salapare were observed. Budget provision from the LGU for the radio station increased from PhP 100,000 in 2015 and 2016 to PhP 270,000 in 2017. This increase paved the way for the construction of a separate room within the radio station for the transmitter last October 2016 and the installation of an air-conditioning unit. In addition, the initial height of the pole for the antenna of 70 feet was further increased to the recommended height of 80 feet in 2016 and this year, through the provision of an extra budget for 2017, the pole height is planned to be increased to 100 feet, thereby having better reception and greater coverage of surrounding municipalities.
In addition to the improvements in the physical aspects of Radyo Kaunlaran, a new set of Community Radio Council (CRC) officers was elected after the Refresher Training on Nutriskwela Community Radio last August 2016. The set of council officers includes Mr. Manuel I. Regencia as the CRC Chairman, Mr. Hermogenes Magnaye as the Vice-Chairman, and Ms. Malou Madrid as the Secretary. Although the last official meeting of the CRC was held last August 2016, the CRC officers and members regularly man the radio station once or twice a week.
The station regularly airs nutrition programs such as One Nutrition, One Nation, 10 Kumainment Plugs, and Katumbas ay Biyaya. Mayor Angel M. Saulong also has a dedicated program entitled Patuloy ang Pagsulong ng Bansud every Tuesdays, 8 to 9 in the morning. Mayor Saulong discusses public service information which can also be a way of promoting the different programs spearheaded by the LGU.
In line with this, as the MNAO of the municipality, Ms. Salapare also conducts regular BNS meetings in the radio station and initiated the participation of the BNSs in the radio programs. Although much improvement is still needed especially with the delivery and rapport of the BNSs with the target audiences, this initiative is considered a good way to reach more targets in the nutrition program implementation. In 2015, the LGU of Bansud provided 15 radio sets to the winners during the Nutriquiz conducted during the Palengke Hour program of the station. This ensured the unceasing patronage of the listeners to the programs aired by the radio station.
The developments done in the radio station aided in the continuous improvement to provide better services to stakeholders in Bansud. Through the new and improved facilities of Radyo Kaunlaran, the listeners are provided better information services on nutrition, health and other related topics. Everyone, not only the Bansud community, is encouraged to listen and apply their learnings from the programs to help improve their and their families’ nutritional well-being and health. Be involved and stay updated with Radyo Kaunlaran 99.7.
