25 October 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) X paid a visit to the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) of the Municipalities of Matungao and Linamon, Lanao del Norte to conduct Advocacy Meeting on Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP). Both LGUs are under the Phase III of the TK DSP.
Conducted last 21 October 2021, the meetings were facilitated by Provincial Nutrition Focal Point Lizelle L. Bete and Nutrition Officer III Sheena Marie G. Talle. Ms. Junahzel P. Bantaculo, Nutritionist-Dietitian II of the Department of Health assigned in the two LGUs accompanied NNC X. Municipal Mayor Aisha M. Azis and Municipal Mayor Randy J. Macapil of LGUs Matungao and Linamon, respectively, were present during the dialogue.
In LGU Matungao, Mayor Azis was all ears during the meeting. She was grateful that the municipality of Matungao is one of the recipient municipalities under Phase III TK DSP. Preparatory activities and plans that are most suitable on the program were discussed in consideration with the resources available in their municipality. She also expressed her full commitment and support to the program.
As agreed during the meeting, Mayor Azis assigned DOH-Nurse Evan Jhon B. Miscala as the focal person in the municipal level to receive, inspect as to quantity and quality and do the inventory of the dry commodities to be delivered in their municipality, together with ND II Bantaculo once the implementation of the program will start. Also, Mayor Azis offered their training center to be the venue to conduct face-to-face feeding activity of the recipient beneficiaries. She also committed to monitor the conduct of the feeding activity. The Rural Health Unit and ND II Bantaculo will facilitate orientation to barangays and beneficiaries. Mayor Azis instructed the RHU to submit monthly monitoring reports to the Mayor’s Office.
On the other hand, in LGU Linamon, PNFP Bete and NO III Talle accompanied by Public Health Nurse Perpetua Amor D. Del Castillo and ND II Bantaculo, visited and presented first the program to Municipal Budget Officer Maria Linda A. Verdun, where she assured that the municipality will utilize its resources to distribute the commodities to the barangays.
Afterwards, Mayor Macapil and during presentation, he raised some questions and clarifications on the program. PNFP Bete and NO III Talle immediately responded to his queries. He also committed to fully support the program in their municipality. Additionally, ND II Bantaculo offered to facilitate the orientation to the BNSs and Barangay Officials for both recipient barangays.
Moreover, NO III Talle advocated and proposed the creation of nutrition offices and plantilla items on nutrition to both LGUs. She presented NNC’s proposal to include LGU functions, services and facilities in the Devolution Transition Plans. Both LGUs have included a plantilla position in their submitted DTP for a focal person who will handle nutrition and population concerns.
The two LGUs claimed that the initiative is their best effort due to the budget and PS cap limitations, even with their increased NTA shares come 2022. Although planning for the DTPs is already done for LGUs Matungao and Linamon, NO III Talle requested to explore ways to include hiring of additional staff for nutrition, even beyond the DTP, such as in the regular annual planning and investment programming of LGUs for the upcoming years. This was noted by both LGUs, and Mayor Macapil responded that they can do so during the second quarter of 2022.
NNC X will continuously provide technical assistance and support to the recipient municipalities of Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program in the Province of Lanao del Norte. (PNFP Lizelle L. Bete)
