The Municipal Nutrition Council of Liloy successfully conducted the Launching of Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program for pregnant women on April 19, 2022 held at Liloy Commercial Building. The aforementioned activity serves as the kick-off for the actual implementation of the program and it was attended by 45 participants including the selected pregnant women beneficiaries, Nutrition Action Officer, Nutrition Coordinator, Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), and some members of Liloy Municipal Nutrition Council headed by Municipal Mayor Hon. Roberto L. Uy Jr.
During the activity, NDDP Ms.Dannifa Jane Tabaloc briefly discussed the overview of the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program with its general objective – “To contribute to 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 FIKD services among nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and children 6-23 months old in the target Tutok Kainan program areas”. The Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation program is a newly-conceived nutrition-specific project of the National Nutrition Council in partnership with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger (IATF-ZH) which is chaired by Cabinet Secretary Hon. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles. This is also one of the government's COVID-19 responses, which operationalizes RA 11148, or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act that focuses on much-needed nutrition intervention, dietary supplementation of pregnant women and young children 6-23 months old especially during this pandemic. The municipality of Liloy is one of the selected LGU beneficiaries in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte.
The launching was attended by ever-supportive Hon. Mayor Roberto L. Uy Jr who reiterated in his speech that “Pregnant nowadays are lucky because the government gives specific programs to care for them”. He also encouraged all pregnant women to take care of their children by eating nutritious food and to finish the feeding program until the 90th day. He also gave credit to the dedicated Barangay Nutrition Scholars who work hard to support the program and encourage them to give more during the implementation because pregnant women rely on their effort as focal person of Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program.
The SB on Health was also present during the activity. In her speech, she said that “Being pregnant is not easy. During this time, they need our support and guidance, especially those first-time “mom “and young to be “mom”. On the other hand, Dr. Nanette D. Digamon, Municipal Health Officer encouraged all pregnant mothers to breastfeed, take their children to the health center for immunization and during their pregnancy, complete the prenatal visit, and take some vitamins especially ferrous with folic to prevent blood loss during delivery. “A mother has a big responsibility, not only during pregnancy but also after she delivers her child,” Digamon said.
The Municipal Nutrition Action Officer and Municipal Dentist, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Langco discussed “My teeth and Nutrition”. In her lecture, she thoroughly explained the importance of dental health to achieve good nutrition. Enhanced nutribuns were distributed to all pregnant women who were present during the program. The municipality has a total of 204 pregnant women beneficiaries who were included in the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program. There were 612 nutribuns distributed to 37 barangays intended for three feeding sessions. The activity ended with the forwarding message of Ms. Enriqueta F. Bulanon, the Municipal Nutrition Coordinator. She expressed her gratitude to the members of Municipal Nutrition Council, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and pregnant women who were present during the launching of Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program.
-PNFP Rowence F. Zorilla
