3 August 2021, Cagayan de Oro City - 30 July 2021 sealed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) through a Ceremonial Signing between DAR X and NNC X. This was held in the Conference Room of DAR Region 10 in Macanhan, Brgy. Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. The event formalized the partnership of the two agencies to combat malnutrition and hunger.
There were speeches and words of gratitude from Cabinet Secretary and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Chairperson on Zero Hunger Atty. Karlo Alexei Nograles on the partnership and ceremonial signing activity conducted. Reiterated from his message, “I will continue to be a champion of this cause because we need to help more children. We need to help more mothers, more farmers, and more fisher folks”. Accompanied his aspiration to eradicate hunger and malnutrition among children and pregnant mothers. Conversely, NNC Assistant Secretary and Executive Director Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MD, MCH, CESO III also shared her words of appreciation to the union of NNC X and DAR X, “This partnership is a win-win for all parties for we will not only help address malnutrition but also provide additional income and livelihood to farmers and fisher folks”. In lieu of Attorney Emily Padilla, Support Services Secretary of DAR, Mr. Baltazar Cruz, Director IV shared his message of greetings and joy for the collaboration and partnership of the two agencies.
The ceremony began with introductions and acknowledgement of participants by SARPO Reynaldo Amatong, followed by a Welcome Message from Assistant Regional Director Seny Fe B. Fabe, where she elaborated how the collaboration is an opportunity for economic transformation for the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBO) and the target-affected population. The Provincial Nutrition Focal Point in the person of Mr. Gwyn Y. Balaba discussed the overview and updates of the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP), supplemented with details by the NNC X Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Gladys Mae S. Fernandez where she accentuated and enumerated the roles of NNC X and DAR X in realizing the program.
Anent this, the MOU was duly signed by both parties with a special message from DAR X Regional Director Zoraida O. Macadindang, Al Hadj, JD, who with grateful and profuse heart is hopeful with a promising outcome for both the ARBOs and beneficiaries.
Key officials also attended the ceremony from DAR X through virtual presence in the person of DAR Bukidnon PARPO II Engr. Norberto R. Paquingan, DM and PARPO II Engineer Rushdi A. Mindalano of Lanao del Norte including their staff.
In summary, the successful Ceremonial Signing was a benefiting activity participated by equally passionate and goal-driven individuals aiming in boosting the socio-economic reputation of the region through confronting and mitigating malnutrition and hunger, and improving nutrition outcomes in the First 1000 Days. (PNFP Gwyn Y. Balaba)
