In preparation for the implementation of the Tutok Kainan: Dietary Supplementation Program (DSP) for pregnant women and 6-23 months old children, NNC 9 Provincial Nutrition Focal Point (PNFP) for Zamboanga del Sur, Ms. Marie-Claire Gaas, joined the first quarter MNC Meeting of Mahayag, last January 18, 2022. The purpose of her attendance in this meeting is to provide a thorough orientation to all the members of the Municipal Nutrition Committee to the concerned program which will soon be launched in their municipality for the province of Zamboanga del Sur. The abovementioned activity was presided by Mr. Reuby Enguito, Administrative Assistant to the local chief executive, and eighteen (18) MNC members were in attendance.
As agreed by NNC RO9 and the Nutrition Action Officers in Zamboanga del Sur, the ceremonial launching of DSP: Tutok Kainan for pregnant women will be held in the Municipality of Mahayag. This was with the permission of the host LGU through the approval of Hon. Mayor Manuel T. Saladaga. With this and as part of the social preparation activity, the members of the MNC should be well-aware of this program and the LGU’s counterpart during the implementation. Similar to other LGU orientations, PNFP Gaas presented the main objective of the DSP known to be contributory in the prevention of stunting among children 0-23 months old by improving the quality and quantity of food and nutrient intakes and utilization of related ECCD F1KD services among nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and children 6-23 months old in the target Tutok Kainan program areas along with the other nutrition and nutrition-related interventions. The priority groups are nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women in their 3rd trimester, pregnant women in their 3rd trimester, and nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women regardless of gestational age. For children, the priority groups are identified stunted 6–23 months old children, wasted 6–23 months old children, with borderline and normal nutritional status.
With all these, NNC9 hopes that by participating in these orientations, attendees can help supplement the workforce of the program implementers as well as assist the agency in monitoring and reporting on the program developments. Furthermore, NNC 9 will conduct courtesy visits to all concerned LGUs and will constantly coordinate with NAOs and other health and nutrition program implementers to ensure that they are well acquainted with the progress of all the nutrition programs. May the potential benefits of their constituents most especially the preschool children and other vulnerable groups will be augmented through improved and proper nutrition program management and implementation towards making them Nutrition Champions in the near future.
PNFP-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas
