BUTUAN CITY—Investing in nutrition in the first 1,000 days is critical in the physical and mental development of the child, shared by National Nutrition Council Caraga, Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Nino Archie S. Labordo during the Annual Dagyaw Townhall Meeting on November 18, 2022 at Dottie’s Place, Butuan City.
This year’s Regional Dagyaw theme is “Edukasyon ug Nutrisyon sa Kabataang Caraganon: Palig-onon!” (Education and Nutrition for Caraganon Youth: To be strengthened!).
Dr. Labordo expressed convergence between and among stakeholders in advocacy towards combating malnutrition, particularly stunting.
At the individual level, stunting may result in a reduced learning capacity, including poor school performance, higher absenteeism, and high chances of repeating grades, he added.
The Dagyaw townhall meeting discussed three main parts: The Child in School; Health of Learners; and Mental Health and Well-being of Caraganon Learners.
Aside from NNC Caraga, joining the team of speakers are from the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga through Dr. Violeta Nuñez, OIC-Chief Education Program Supervisor, Policy, Planning and Research Division; Gawad Kalinga through Director Victor Emmanuel Ozarraga; and Caraga State University (CSU) Guidance and Counseling Center through Dr. Maria Olivia Bating, Counseling Supervisor.
In the open forum, the panelists were asked on the programs that will help the concern about individual capacity to learn. Dr. Labordo shared the power of the first 1,000 days.
"The first 1000 days of life of every child is really important as this is critical in the formation and growth of the child starting from the pregnancy of the mother. The power of the First 1000 Days starts from the 270 days of pregnancy, followed by the 180 days of younger days of infancy (birth to 6 months), and the 550 days of older stage of infancy and toddlerhood (6 months to 2 years)," he added.
This year Dagyaw was organized by the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) composed of government agencies, to include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Topics identified were agreed during its coordination meeting to highlight the situation, issues and concerns of school children and the youth especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the efforts of the government and different stakeholders in the protection of children’s rights and promotion of the overall well-being of children and youth.
“Dagyaw” is a Hiligaynon term for “Bayanihan” which brings the concept of “togetherness”. Primarily the townhall meeting aims to strengthen the public's trust in the government through open and public dialogues co-designed with civil society and with a focus on timely, relevant and emerging issues. #NASLabordo
