13 October 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) X and Department of Agrarian Reform through its Central, Regional and Provincial Offices held a virtual Kamustahan session with the participation of Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs). Held 12 October 2021, the meeting was conducted to discuss program updates and issues encountered in the preparation and implementation of the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte areas.

DAR X Assistant Regional Director, Seny Fe B.  Fabe her message said, “This session is an opportunity to converse with the updates, accomplishments and challenges encountered during the program’s implementation and minding the gap to strategize more effective steps for future engagement”. ARD Fabe also expressed her aspiration to continue the harmonious relationship and partnership between the two agencies for the years to come.

For the program update, NNC X's Provincial Nutrition Focal Points for Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte in the person of Mr. Gwyn Y. Balaba, and Ms. Lizelle Bete, respectively, discussed the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program's overview, updates, accomplishments, challenges encountered, and program’s next steps.

An open forum was held to air queries, most of which were on the concerns on the ARBOs' payment status and Lanao del Norte’s ongoing social preparation for the Phase III and IV. Ms. Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, NNC X Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, readily clarified the attendees' questions.

Among the DAR key personnel who attended the Kamustahan were, Ms. Susan Gambalan, the National Focal Person for the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), representing from DAR Bukidnon Province is Agrarian Reform Program Office II (PARPO) II, Engr. Pheobe Noval and Agrarian Reform Program Office II (PARPO) II and Special Concerns Officer, Ms. Elinor Judyfind D. Abragan of Lanao del Norte. Prior to closing the program, summary of agreements reached was relayed by SARPO Cecille Veloso to wrap up the discussion.

In summary, the successful Kamustahan session was a worthwhile activity for accessing the most up-to-date information on the program's implementation. It also served the objective of keeping the ARBOs informed and including them in the country's efforts to combat malnutrition by conceptualizing effective and relevant nutrition programs for the improvement of nutrition outcomes in the first 1000 days of life. (PNFP Gwyn Y. Balaba)