Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mass gatherings are prohibited and social distancing is being observed in the country. Thus, various agencies and organizations nowadays are taking advantage on the use of modern technology and internet to continue conducting their postponed activities. One of these is the successful conduct of the 1st Semester Early Childhood Care Development – First 1,000 Days (ECCD-F1K) program Virtual Meeting through Zoom application that was spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council Regional Office 9 on May 21, 2020. The meeting was attended by 11 participants who were the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs), District/Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/MNPCs), Municipal Nutrition Office Encoders of the Local Government Units of Aurora, Mahayag, Kumalarang and Zamboanga del Sur province and a DOH-HRH Nutritionist-Dietitian deployed in the Municipality of Kumalarang.
The meeting focused on discussing with the participants the updates and status of the ECCD-F1K program in their respective areas, the LGU’s health and nutrition good practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and to strengthen the implementation of Executive Order 51 or the Milk Code of the Philippines among other matters relevant to the ECCD F1K Program.
First presenter during the meeting was LGU-Aurora’s MNPC, Ms. Mecelyn P. Ruiles. MNPC Ruiles enumerated their LGU’s accomplishments such as the inclusion of vegetables in the distribution of relief goods, successful conduct of the Search for Ulirang Ina ng Aurora (SUFIA) launching and awarding ceremonies, procurement of vegetable seeds that are waiting for its delivery, and the LGU’s plan to conduct a garden contest for the program beneficiaries. This was followed by the MNAO of Mahayag, Ms. Charisse Norina Ma. A. Ranile in which she detailed their LGU’s updates and accomplishments during the pandemic. This includes the distribution of seeds, dispersal of rice grains to the farmers, and the assistance of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the distribution of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), PUM monitoring, manning the checkpoints and provision of assistance to the conduct of EPI vaccination with the Rural Health Unit. MNAO Ranile also mentioned that their LGU’s launching on the Search for the Ulirang F1K na Ina was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer of Zamboanga del Sur, Ms. Grace F. Sumogue also discussed the nutrition updates in the province. Accordingly, Zamboanga del Sur already had an approved plans and activities that are reprogrammed until December. She also cited that the LGU successfully conducted a TAME orientation before the implementation of ECQ. Another accomplishment of the province also was its initiative on translating the Nutrition Cluster Advisories in Cebuano dialect for better understanding of the BNSs and other readers. Lastly and unfortunately, the LGU of Kumalarang participants were disconnected due to the unstable internet connection but PNC Elton N. Pelegrino presented on their behalf. PNC Pelegrino presented the remaining balance for ECCD-F1K fund of the LGU and the programs which were suspended because of COVID-19.
Before the meeting ended, NNC IX Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong gave her comments and suggestions to the LGUs such as allocating enough time in searching and monitoring the participants of the Search for Ulirang F1K na Ina and recommended some alternatives to the programs and activities that were suspended due to COVID-19. She also reiterated the E.O 51 to the participants and reminded them to be vigilant and on the lookout for possible violations of the Milk Code in their community.
The NNC RO 9 commends the efforts of the ECCD-F1K areas even during this time of pandemic. As the ECCD-F1K program concludes this year, NNC 9 wishes the LGUs to continue to integrate the program in their nutrition action plan and implement its component activities using their own resources such as delivery of nutrition, health, early learning and other social services to the pregnant and lactating women, and children below 2 years old.
NO I Angelica O. Pajulas
