31 May 2021, Cagayan de Oro City — After its activation in Bukidnon, the province of Lanao del Norte was eyed as one of the expansion areas (Phase 3) for the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP) in Region 10, along with six other municipalities in the Province.
As part of the social preparation activities, the National Nutrition Council Region 10 (NNC X) through Nutrition Program Coordinator (NPC) Gladys Mae S. Fernandez and Early Childhood Care and Development – First 1000 Days Program (ECCD-F1K) Provincial Nutrition Coordinator (PNC) Stephanie C. Barrio visited the municipality of Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte last 26 May to conduct an Advocacy Meeting. The attendees were Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Members Taha T. Dagol and Norhata P. Pascan, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Noraida T. Disangcopan, Department of Health – Human Resource for Health personnel Jona Dominguez (Nutritionist-Dietitian), Norwen Michael Dumago (Nurse), and Nasripa Casan (Midwife), and six (6) Barangay Health Workers of the municipality.
NPC Fernandez discussed and presented the program objectives and its priority groups, the proposed recipient LGUs in the province, the program components, considerations, and updates, and other social preparations to be done. Furthermore, PNC Barrio also discussed the roles and the support expected from the recipient LGUs.
During the meeting, concerns raised on the conduct of the program include the absence of Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the municipality. Thus, MNAO Disangcopan will need to tap other manpower in the barangay level such as the Barangay Health Workers as implementers and focal points of TK DSP. Another challenge raised was the topographical location of the barangays, of which the majority are considered as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). Also, the cycle menu must be modified following culturally acceptable and easy-to-store commodities since storage is also a problem as only two (2) out of the seven (7) barangays have access or connection to electricity. It was agreed that the attending SB members together with MNAO Disangcopan will meet with their Local Chief Executive (LCE) to discuss these concerns and finalize acceptance of the program.
After the conduct of the meeting, pre-implementation activities that need to be done include updating of the masterlist of 6-23 months old children, Municipal and Barangay Nutrition Committee orientations, signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NNC and LGU, coordination with prospect Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) to supply the fresh food commodities during the feeding, cycle menu modification, among others.
Through the LGU’s support and the beneficiaries’ cooperation, TK DSP is envisioned to help alleviate the malnutrition problem of the province particularly on its high prevalence of stunting. (PNC Stephanie C. Barrio)
