22 August 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – National Nutrition Council Region X headed by Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez successfully facilitated the conduct of the Virtual Meeting on Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP) Phase 3 Updates on 20 August 2021 for the select Lanao del Norte areas via Zoom application. The program targets stunted and wasted 6-23 months old children in the municipalities of Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Linamon, Matungao, Nunungan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, and Tagoloan.

The online meeting was attended by the Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, Department of Health Nutritionist Dietitians and Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers from the said Local Government Units (LGU). Ms. Elinor Judyfind D. Abragan, Agrarian Reform Program Officer II and Special Concerns Officer from Lanao del Norte Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office (DARPO) and Ms. Marivic dela Fuente, Development Management Officer IV from the Provincial DOH Office of Lanao del Norte were also present during the meeting.

The said meeting was held to update the TK DSP LGUs regarding the program and to track their progress specifically in the preparation of their Memorandum of Understanding and Masterlists of program beneficiaries.

NPC Fernandez updated the participants on TK DSP phase III. Her discussion focused on the target areas and beneficiaries and the preferred feeding scheme of the selected LGUs. She also levelled off the responsibilities of the province, municipalities, and the barangays for the said program.

Nutrition Officer III Sheena Marie G. Talle then presented the documents needed for the social preparations and the deadline of submission of the required documents.

Ms. Abragan raised her concern regarding the percent tax deduction and other financial matters and clarifications on documentary requirements to be complied by the partner Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) for the implementation of the program.

After which, the Nutritionist-Dietitians from the select LGUs gave updates regarding the completion of their respective masterlists, number of barangays to be covered, and the status of their memorandum of understanding.

NO III Talle then presented the next steps for the program, which were duly noted by the participants.

The NNC X is grateful for the active support of the DAR, ARBOs, and the TK DSP LGUs. The agency will continue to work hand in hand with the said stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the program. (NO I Liezel Joy D. Reyes)