10 November 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – A two-day nutrition forum entitled “Sama-samang Isulong ang Nutrisyon sa First 1000 Days!” was organized by the District City Nutrition Program Coordinators Association of the Philippines (DCNPCAP), Region X Inc. in coordination with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X. It was conducted last 28-29 October 2021 via Zoom. A total of 268 participants composed of local nutrition workers and members of the local nutrition committees in Region 10 attended the forum.
The forum aims to promote the First 1000 Days (F1K) strategy to address chronic malnutrition, particularly stunting in pre- and post-pandemic situations.
“The focus for this year’s forum is very timely and relevant as this is our common position statement to reduce malnutrition. Evidence shows that the most strategic period to prevent malnutrition particularly stunting and achieve children’s potential for physical and mental development, is from conception until the child reached his/her second birthday,” said NNC X Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez.
On the first day of the forum, Dr. Jessamine Sareno-Ang, FPPD, FPsNbM, Neonatologist of Maria Reyna-Xavier University Hospital, Inc. discussed the importance of breastfeeding in the first 1000 days of life. Dr. Sareno-Ang emphasized that breastmilk is nature’s superfood that contains nutrients, growth factors, and hormones that are vital to brain development. Likewise, she discussed the benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and child and highlighted the importance of supporting breastfeeding.
Further, Dr. Sareno-Ang presented the newborn programs in the Philippines, policies that support breastfeeding in the workplace, and Unang Yakap or Essential Intrapartum Newborn Care program. She also shared that Cagayan de Oro City will soon open their Human Milk Bank and Lactation Support Center. A Human Milk Bank is a facility that collects, screens, and pasteurizes donated breastmilk to provide safe breastmilk to infants particularly in times of emergencies.
Another highlight of the forum is the discussion of the local government unit (LGU) innovations and strategies on the first 1000 days. This was presented during the second day of the forum. Valencia City Vice Mayor and Co-chairperson of the City Nutrition Committee Dr. Policarpo P. Murillo, IV shared the local policies passed and implemented in the city for the First 1000 Days Program. It includes policies on (1) F1K Ordinance; (2) Institutionalization of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Peer Counselors, with at least 1 counselor in every purok; (3) Mandating the availability of breastfeeding room in establishments; and (4) Outsourcing of professionals and ancillary services, among others.
As part of the general support mechanism to the nutrition program, Valencia City amended their bureaucracy staffing placing the City Nutrition Office (CNO) under the City Mayor Office, instead of the City Health Office. As it will be institutionalized, CNO will be called the Human Nutrition and Physical Development Division.
In addition, Vice Mayor Murillo stressed that budgetary support for personnel honorarium i.e., Barangay Nutrition Scholars, capacity development activities, micronutrient supplementary programs, capital outlays, program infrastructure, and logistics are important for sustainable nutrition programs implementation.
Before closing the 2-day forum, Vice Mayor Murillo led the induction of the DCNPCAP, Region X Inc. 2021-2024 officers. Ms. Marites A. Gomez, Misamis Oriental DNPC and President of the DCNPCAP, Region X Inc. delivered her closing message to wrap up the activity.
Throughout the forum, the association conducted an electronic raffle draw to generate funds to support the association’s activities, including the Nutrition Education and Gift Giving for pregnant women in select areas in Region 10. (NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles)
