01 December 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – As the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP) is on its way to Lanao del Norte Province, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X gathered more support for the program.
Last 26 November 2021, NNC X through Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez and Provincial Nutrition Focal Point Lizelle L. Bete paid a visit to the local chief executives (LCEs) of Baroy and Lala, Lanao del Norte to advocate for Tutok Kainan DSP.
During the dialogue with Mayor Rosa D. Olafsson of LGU Baroy, committed that the LGU will provide support to TK DSP through transportation expenses to be incurred by the recipient barangays, and provision of funds for the sustainability of the program. She also confirmed and recognized the importance of providing health and nutrition interventions during the first 1000 days of life. Present during the advocacy meeting with Baroy were Ms. Cherry Pina E. Lisondra of the Nutritionist Dietitian Deployment Project (NDDP) of the Department of Health and Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS Marcela Rocaberte.
Also, it was agreed that the dry commodities of the program will be dropped and stored in their municipality wherein it will be picked-up by the focal persons from the three (3) barangays. Also, Mayor Olafsson committed to spearhead the monthly distribution of the commodities to the recipient barangays to continuously monitor and secure the efficiency and effectivity of the program.
Moreover, NPC Fernandez advocated and proposed the creation of nutrition offices and plantilla items on nutrition. According to Mayor Olafsson, budget for nutrition was already included in their Devolution Transition Plan (DTP) for 2022 and inclusion of plantilla items on nutrition will be included in the year 2023-2024.
In another meeting, in LGU Lala, Mayor Angel L. Yap was present together with the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Jocylyn M. Pormento, Municipal Health Officer Ava Liwanag and nutrition staff from the Rural Health Unit. NPC Fernandez presented the program components and objectives of TK DSP. Mayor Yap shared that there was already an approved activity design wherein budget for the program was reflected as a counterpart of the municipality to the Tutok Kainan DSP. Expense items identified in the activity design are transportation, load allowance, among others.
In addition, it was agreed in the meeting that the dry commodities will be dropped at the municipality and will be distributed to the four (4) recipient barangays of the program. Thus, storage of the dry commodities will be care of by the barangays.
Same in LGU Baroy, NPC Fernandez advocated and proposed the creation of nutrition offices and plantilla items on nutrition for 2022. Although planning for the DTP is already done, according to Mayor Yap, inclusion of plantilla items will be considered for the year 2023.
Through the unwavering support of the municipalities, Tutok Kainan DSP can help alleviate the malnutrition problem among stunted and wasted children in Lanao del Norte Province. (PNFP Lizelle Bete)
