Davao City – The National Nutrition Council XI through ECCD F1K Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Julie Ann Ville A. Esteban with Nutrition Officer II Marcel Paul Maglaqui and Nutrition Officer I Glory Mae C. Agustin turned over the ECCD Funds to Digos City and Municipality of Hagonoy, Davao del Sur last May 2 and May 3, 2017.

Digos City received a total budget of 1.6 million pesos for the EECD Program. Mayor Joseph R. Peñas received the cheque with the presence of Ms. Maria Corazon Sacupayo, City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO); Mr. Jake Uy Jr., City Treasurer; Mr. Roberto P. Zamora, City Information Officer; and Ms. Maria Fe Imelda T. Alpas, Revenue Collection Clerk who issued the receipt of the cheque.

According to Mayor Peñas, they will focus on the work plan and will implement the program this year.

Municipality of Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, received 1,333,118.00 pesos as budget for their ECCD Program. The turn over started with an opening prayer followed by the singing of National Anthem. Dr. Romeo P. Gamalong Jr., Municipal Health Officer gave an opening remark saying thanks to National Nutrition Council for the ECCD Fund which will help their municipality. A short video of ECCD (First 1000 Days) was presented after which was further explained by ECCD F1K PNC Julie Anne Ville A. Esteban.

On behalf of Mayor Conrado E. Laza, Municipal Administrator Mr. Marlon C. Braba assured that the fund entrusted to them for the ECCD will surely have to go to the beneficiary or active participants of the program. They are thankful to National Nutrition Council for the continued collaboration and cooperation with its advocacy and real programs to address malnutrition and poverty not only to their municipality but also to the province, region and the nation. The affair ended with a closing remark from MNAO-MSWD Teresita Tapere.

The Municipality of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur received their ECCD Fund on May 8, 2017. It was handed by RNPC Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson to Municipal Mayor Anthur D. Davin with an amount of 1,462,118.00 pesos. Present during the turnover were some of the members of the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC); from the Department of Agriculture Ms. Helen P. Carampatana (Municipal Agriculturist), Councilor-MNAO Raffie S. Redoblado and Dr. Arthur F. Navidad from MHO.

Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson gave her message highlighting the importance of the ECCD Program (First 1000 Days) to address stunting among 0 month to 2 years old children. Finally, MNAO Raffie S. Redoblado assured that they will implement the program.