Yesterday, 22 November, NNC together with Mayor Bernard Brioso and the members of the Libmanan Nutrition Committee launched the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Intervention Package for the First 1000 Days (ECCD-IP F1KD) in the municipality with the strong 250 members of the Barangay Nutrition Committees from 75 barangays composed of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Chairpersons and Committee Chairs on Health in attendance. NPC Arlene Reario discussed in detail the plan of the government in ensuring the full development of the child through the implementation of various health, nutrition and social services covering all the pregnant women and children 0-23 months.
Mayor Brioso has started the fight for better services for pregnant women by making available 24/7 the municipality’s ambulance to ferry and bring would-be delivering pregnant women from the coastal and mountainous parts of the municipality to the lying-in clinics and to Libmanan District Hospital. He also said that a new Rural Health Unit, the 3rd one in the municipality, will soon be constructed with funding support from the LGU. He envisions Libmanan to have less stunted and underweight children through the ECCD-IP F1KD program.
Chairperson Rogelio Rey of Barangay Sibujo said that his barangay is ready to intensify programs on health and nutrition since infrastructure projects have been completed in his barangay. He added that a good social preparation among his constituents will result to cooperation among the people leading to the success in the implementation of first 1000 days intervention packages. Someone in the group expressed difficulty in gathering mothers for the nutrition education classes. A Kagawad on Health countered that mothers and other caregivers will join and attend these classes especially if they hear that food demonstrations will be held and simple snacks is assured. Kagawad Concepcion of Brgy. Bagacay suggested that information materials on nutrition be made available for use by mothers and volunteer workers. He added that this will promote learning among the mothers. The BNS President of Libmanan, Lilian Guerrero of Brgy. Poblacion requested the barangay leaders present to open their hearts and minds so that together with their BNS and other members of the BNC, a functional nutrition action plan of the barangay will be formulated for 2017. This early, some expressed thoughts on having contest for best kitchen garden or communal garden to further motivate households to participate in the program. The Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, Dr. Eduardo Madrigalejo, is optimistic that with the cooperation of the other members of the MNC and all the barangay captains, the ECCD-IP F1KD will be successfully implemented in the municipality.
With the signatures affixed in the pledge of commitment by everyone present in the event, there is high hope that indeed this will come true.
