The inter-agency Regional Technical Assistance Monitoring and Evaluation (TAME) Team conducted a 4-day monitoring and evaluation visit to the Early Childhood Care and Development-First 1000 Days (ECCD-F1K) areas in the Province of Davao del Sur last January 28 to 31, 2019. The purpose of the monitoring visit is to assess and validate the status of ECCD-F1K program implementation; identify challenges encountered; determine good practices and innovations; and provide technical assistance to ECCD-F1K program implementers in terms of planning, generation of data on nutrition, updating of the masterlist of beneficiaries; preparation and submission of nutrition reports, skills enhancement on nutrition counselling, nutrition education and nutrition assessment, among others.

The TAME Team was led by Ms. Grace Elsa Albano, ND IV of the Department of Health XI with TAME team members from the Department of Agriculture XI represented by Ms. Luz Elda Ramos, Institutional Development Section Head and Ms. Charlotte Lumantas of the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI. The Regional TAME Team was assisted by Retsebeth M. Laquihon, Nutrition Officer III and Ms. Alma Cosico, ECCD-F1K Provincial Nutrition Coordinator for Davao del Sur. Among the areas visited are the Province of Davao del Sur through the Provincial Nutrition Office, City of Digos and municipalities of Hagonoy and Magsaysay, respectively. A total 7 barangays were visited at 2-3 barangays per ECCD-F1K areas.

Activities conducted during the TAME visit include one on one meeting and interview with the Barangay officials and health and nutrition workers were conducted; desk review of ECCD-F1K documents and reports; interview with the selected beneficiaries; actual observation of the conduct of nutrition assessment through weight and height measurement of preschool children and the actual conduct of nutrition counselling to pregnant and lactating mothers.

ECCD-F1K areas in the Province of Davao del Sur started implementing ECCD-F1K Program last first quarter of CY 2018. The results of the TAME activity showed progress of ECCD-F1K Program implementation. All the identified areas visited have already organized their local TAME team supported with an Executive Order. In terms of program implementation, the LGUs have established the masterlisting and updating of target beneficiaries. Approximately 30 barangays per LGU have already conducted the Idol ko si Nanay Nutrition Education classes with an average of 25 to 30 mothers attended and graduated. Further, nutrition advocacy was also conducted to members of local nutrition committee (LNC) during exit conference to further strengthen the functionality of P/C/M/BNC along nutrition program implementation particularly in the ECCD-F1K Program. On the other hand, the Regional TAME Team shall focus its technical assistance to the LGUs in terms of the management of ECCD-F1K program implementation particularly the collaboration with other nutrition network at the local level as well as in the administration of preparation and timely submission of ECCD-F1K reports. (MTLU/RML)