19 July 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The local government unit of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, together with three other LGU representatives around the country, were given the chance to introduce their best practices on the implementation of First 1000 Days (F1K) programs and activities. This was held last 15-16 July 2021, during the 2021 Nutrition Month Conferenceorganized by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in partnership with UNICEF. The virtual conference served as venue to discuss and disseminate relevant updates on addressing malnutrition among various stakeholders.

Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Christy Marie V. Alsado of Manolo Fortich acted as one of the panelists in the Day 2 Panel Discussion entitled “One Step Back, Two Steps Forward: Scaling Up the First 1000 Days Program”, facilitated by Ms. Aya Escober of the Department of Health. MNAO Alsado sat on the discussion with Tandag CNAO Reyveen Geli, Bacoor City BNS Hazelaine Quiambao, and BNS Shirley Falcon of Antique.

During the discussion, MNAO Alsado proudly highlighted the best practices of the F1K-QUINO Program (First 1000 Days-Quest for Unified and Innovative Nutrition Opportunities) to more than 1,500 Zoom and Facebook Live participants around the country:

• Cooperative and supportive Municipal Nutrition Committee in terms of policy formulation and program implementation; with additional support from external partners;
• Staff complement with three plantilla positions and three support staff composed of nutrition officers, education and promotion officer, and F1K coordinator, among others;
• Real Quality Public Service (RQPS) which brings services to all 22 barangays every Friday. Such activity is the venue for the breastmilk drive and breastfeeding campaign of the LGU, which they partnered with NGO Modern Nanays of Mindanao;
• Nutrition Rehabilitation Center which will serve as an out-patient therapeutic care facility;
• Human Milk Hub which stores the donated breastmilk from their RQPS. Donated breastmilk are screened and stored according to existing guidelines;
• Portable collapsible breastfeeding cubicles utilized in the municipality, that can be transferred during disasters and emergencies;
• Utanan sa Tugkaran, an edible landscaping project to be established within the Nutrition Office premises. The MNC partnered with a private foundation that provides gardening supplies, with technical assistance provided by the local agriculture office;
• Intensified capacity building activities for health and nutrition workers at 2-3 trainings related to F1K and nutrition per year;
• F1K information dissemination through various media;
• Existing referral system through zones, up to barangays, and to the Nutrition/Health Office; and
• Grassroot involvement by the Barangay Nutrition Committees and zones.

All of the above-mentioned programs are being implemented by the LGU on top of the regular health and nutrition projects and activities offered by Manolo Fortich.

MNAO Alsado shared that it is through collaboration with the MNC and external organizations, and grassroot involvement through the barangays that enabled the LGU to manage such activities. This collaboration, according to MNAO Alsado, creates a domino effect which can invite more stakeholders and beneficiaries to work for and appreciate nutrition.

“Our MNC is supportive when it comes to policies and program implementation, our BNCs are eager in replicating policies and programs, and with the involvement of partners and stakeholders, and guidance from NNC Region X, I think there is limitless possibilities of improved and innovative services that we can offer,” MNAO Alsado mentioned. She also expressed the MNC’s hopes to collaborate with more people for wider coverage and implementation once the COVID-19 situation improves.

In her parting message, MNAO Alsado said, “Scaling up the First 1000 Days Program is one step back and two steps forward. We must take a step back to assess our strengths and check where we can still improve. We take one step forward by defining our goals and directions for the First 1000 Days, and another step forward by acting on it. No small act of persistence goes unnoticed.” (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)