26 November 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – As part of the monitoring of Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP) Phase I implementation, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Gladys Mae S. Fernandez and Provincial Nutrition Focal Point (PNFP) Gwyn Y. Balaba paid a visit to select barangays in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
RNPC Fernandez, along with PNFP Balaba, City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) Eza Canonigo and City Nutrition Program Coordinator (CNPC) Rhea Bantulan made an appearance to Barangays Linabo and St. Peter.
In the course of surveillance, they witnessed the hot meals being prepared, distributed, and consumed by the pregnant women recipients. Marvil Opindo, one of the beneficiaries in Brgy. St. Peter, expressed her gratitude towards the program, "Mapasalamaton ko’g dako kay naa gyu’y maayong kabag-ohan sa akong lawas kay underweight ko sauna ug sukad naapil ko sa programa, na normal na akong timbang ug normal usab ang timbang sakong baby pag-anak" (I am grateful for the program because there were significant improvements in my health from being underweight to normal weight gain and for my baby’s normal weight after birth), she said, referring to the TK DSP.
This illustrates the effectiveness and relevance of the program especially to those who are affected with malnutrition, by the concrete outcomes and truthful messages shared by the beneficiaries.
Further, amidst the challenge brought by the pandemic, Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) work extra effort to extend health and nutrition services to the most vulnerable members of the community alongside with the NAOs, and local program focal persons. The adversity may have halted several activities, but nutrition movers moved across its boundaries and extended help to the affected individuals.
At present, seven (7) of the eight (8) enrolled Bukidnon local government unit (LGU) recipients already completed Phase I, namely, LGUs Kadingilan, Kibawe, Libona, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich, Quezon and Valencia City. Meanwhile, Malaybalay City is on its last delivery and last week of feeding as of this writing.
Malnutrition prevention is most important during pregnancy and child's first two years of life. Maintaining a child's food quality and quantity throughout this time can help prevent future difficulties. That is why, agencies collaborated with different public and private sectors to work and be the agent for effective and relevant nutrition and hunger-related programs that will provide services for the people.
There is still a long way to solve issues of malnutrition and hunger in the country. However, a healthy and nourished country can only be realized with the work of each member of the community to impart small but significant initiatives. (PNFP Gwyn Y. Balaba)
