20 September 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) identified Lanao del Norte Province as one of the priority areas for the fourth phase of Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP). At most 10 municipalities will benefit from the program for Phase 4, on top of the seven (7) identified areas in the Province for Phase 3.

The NNC Region X facilitated a virtual orientation meeting held 17 September 2021 in preparation for the commencement of TK DSP Phase 4. Nutrition Action Officers, representatives and Nutritionist-Dietitians from the Department of Health attended the meeting, representing 10 select local government units (LGUs), namely: Bacolod, Baloi, Baroy, Kapatagan, Lala, Magsaysay, Maigo, Salvador, Sapad and Tubod.

The Tutok Kainan DSP seeks to attend to the prevention of stunting and wasting among children aged 6-23 months. Lanao del Norte Phase 4 areas are given with a total allocation of 1,150 beneficiaries from all 10 LGUs, involving 13 barangays in total. The Program also opens a window of opportunity for nutrition education among mothers and caregivers in the community for the healthy growth and development of their children. The Tutok Kainan DSP will run for six (6) months or 180 feeding days to contribute to the efforts in mitigating hunger and malnutrition in the country.

Highlights of the meeting were the presentation of the program overview by Ms. Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC X. She also elaborated the program roles from the national level down to the local barangays as a collaborative effort in alleviating the high prevalence of stunting and wasting in the Philippines. Social preparation of necessary documents to facilitate the implementation of Tutok Kainan Phase 4, as well as program updates were discussed further by Ms. Sheena Marie G. Talle, Nutrition Officer III.

Moreover, an open forum was held for the participants to raise their questions and concerns relevant to the program especially amidst COVID-19 situation. Next steps following the meeting were presented by NNC X’s newly hired Provincial Nutrition Focal Point for Lanao del Norte, Ms. Lizelle L. Bete.

Challenging as it was, the majority of the LGUs accepted and committed to support the program, and NNC X will continue to provide assistance to the LGUs as needed, especially during the social preparation stage. (PNFP Lizelle Bete)