20 July 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council X in coordination with the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Lanao del Norte (DARPO LDN) convened for an orientation on Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP) and signing of the Marketing Agreement (MA) with the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs), held last 14 July 2022 at MCC Hotel, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

NNC X under the direction of Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez facilitated the gathering attended by more than 30 participants including all the involved Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers (MARPOs) from the program’s target municipalities under Phases 3, 4 and 5. DARPO LDN’s OIC-Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, Mr. Jalaini S. Mohamad delivered his welcome and opening remarks. He said, “this is the first time we've partnered with NNC for a feeding program, so to all ARBOs, as the supplier of food commodities for the beneficiaries of the program, we must deliver what is required to us”.

The participants, especially the ARBOs, were oriented on the Tutok Kainan program overview, components, target areas, social preparations and guidelines to equip and direct them throughout the implementation of the program as the supplier of food commodities for the program’s beneficiaries, 6-23 months old children and pregnant women.

NPC Fernandez also discussed the roles and responsibilities of DAR X, NNC X and ARBOs for the Tutok Kainan program, who also urged all stakeholders to completely devote and support the initiative.

The event highlight was the signing of the MA with the ARBOs and NNC X. An open discussion was held prior to the ceremonial signing to address questions from the participating ARBOs, mostly on concerns connected to the increased prices of commodities and fuel. This was tackled and taken into consideration where an agreement was reached between the NNC X and ARBOs while adhering to the program's guidelines.

As a response, all four (4) lead ARBOs who were in attendance, namely, La Libertad Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LALIFAMCO), El Salvador Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ESFMPC), Buriasan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BUFAMCO) and Segapod Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SSNMPC) together with the DARPO LDN and MARPOs, committed and supported the Tutok Kainan initiative by signing the Marketing Agreement with the NNC X.

NNC X will conduct follow-through actions and further provide assistance to all participating ARBOs of the Tutok Kainan program with the support and assistance of DARPO LDN through point person, Ms. Mahalaisa Mangotara, thereby consolidating our efforts towards #OneRegioninNutrition. (Lizelle L. Bete, Development Management Officer II-Provincial Nutrition Focal Point/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./09631090198)