9 August 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – “Makakaasa po kayo kung ano ang kailangang discussion to materialize the program, we are here. And we give our 101% support to the Tutok Kainan program,” Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) I Jalaini S. Mohammad declared during the Inception Conference held 9 August 2021.
The said Inception Conference was done to embark the partnership between the Department of Agrarian Reform – Lanao del Norte Provincial Office, and National Nutrition Council Region X for the implementation of the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP).
This was attended by 20 DAR LDN officials, provincial staff, and municipal ARPOs, and NNC X. PARPO I Mohammad led DAR LDN in behalf of PARPO II Engr. Rushdi A. Mindalano. On the other hand, NNC X headed by Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez facilitated the meeting.
A discussion on the overview of the TK DSP was given by Nutrition Officer III Sheena Marie G. Talle where she introduced NNC, the National Dietary Supplementation Program, and the TK DSP itself. Program objectives, priority groups, coverage, level of supplementation and feeding scheme were among the topics discussed. Program updates were likewise shared.
NPC Fernandez also levelled off the responsibilities of DAR and NNC in the implementation of the program, where DAR is mainly responsible for mobilizing its Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) to supply the ingredients for the wet feeding scheme.
Provincial Nutrition Focal Point Gwyn Y. Balaba shared the good practices, challenges encountered and actions done in the program implementation in Bukidnon areas. This was done to give a glimpse of the implementation, and to anticipate possible concerns and issues during social preparation activities, and during the execution of the program itself. PNFP Balaba also shared the list of required documents for the ARBOs who will be engaged in the program.
In behalf of DAR LDN office, PARPO I Mohammad committed to support the program as the partnership also aims to assist the identified ARBOs and suppliers.
An open forum was held to address the initial queries of the participants, which mostly catered financial concerns.
The NNC X will continue to coordinate with DAR LDN office to realize the Phase III of the program, which targets stunted and wasted 6-23 months old children in Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Linamon, Matungao, Nunungan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, and Tagoloan municipalities. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
