On March 25, 2021, the Provincial Nutrition Coordinator for Zamboanga del Sur (ZDS PNC) of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) IX, Ms. Marie-Claire A. Gaas, visited the Municipality of Mahayag to conduct a courtesy call and presentation of oneself to the Local Chief Executive Mayor Manuel T. Saladaga, MNAO designate, Charisse Norina Ranile and Municipal Health Officer, Butch G. Lumapas. She also visited the municipality in response to the invitation to the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Monthly Meeting to enlighten the Barangay Chairpersons on the Tutok Kainan: Dietary Supplementation Program (DSP).

The meeting was presided over by ABC President, Hon. Marben Baker. A total of 25 barangay captains joined the session. During the meeting, MNAO-designate Charisse Norina Ma. Ranile presented the Provincial Ordinance No. 040-2020, an ordinance strengthening the Barangay Nutrition Program by providing Barangay Nutrition Scholar in every barangay, providing funds thereof and for other purposes in accordance with the Presidential Decree no. 1569.

Furthermore, ZDS PNC Gaas was introduced and provided a brief orientation on Tutok Kainan Program to the Barangay Chairpersons by briefly discussing the overview of the program. ZDS PNC Gaas emphasized that DSP was conceived by NNC and Interagency Task Force on Zero Hunger (IATF-ZH)  to provide supplemental foods to pregnant women for 90 calendar days and complementary foods to children 6-23 months for 180 calendar days with priority to those who are undernourished and nutritionally at-risk.

PNC Gaas also pointed out that DSP Tutok Kainan is not a one man show, where only the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) will do the work but a concerted effort of all concerned individuals. Each barangay worker who are members of the Tutok Kainan team, e.g. BNS, BHW, barangay officials, other barangay-based volunteers as well as members of the Barangay Health and Emergency Response Team should take part in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the program. PNC Gaas concluded that the success of the Tutok Kainan Program mostly relies on how unified, committed and dedicated the program implementers are at the grassroot level with the support and leadership of the Punong Barangay.

PNC-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas

References:

1. Presidential Decree No. 1569, s. 1978

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1978/06/11/presidential-decree-no-1569-s-1978/