"TAGUMpay sa pamumuno, TAGUMpay sa Nutrisyon at Serbisyo"
Toward the pursuit of urbanization, moving towards industrialization and agriculture modernization, improvement in public sector productivity has gained incredible momentum in Tagum City over the years. It has always been Tagum City’s mission and commitment to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth and development by establishing highly competitive industries, accessible services and opportunities, to achieve a better quality of life for its people. The City Nutrition Committee (CNC) led by Lingkod Bayan Awardee Mayor Allan L. Rellon, is certain that behind this sustainable development is a strong human capital resource, which can only be achieved if there is nutrition security.
The City of People
Tagum City’s people-centered approach in a rather diverse set of population inspired the city government to be more innovative in uplifting the people’s quality of life. From education, employment programs, cultural preservation, agricultural support and disaster resiliency to improved social services and addressing malnutrition, this Galing Pook Awardee never fails its people. Under the TAGUMpay Works Program, the local government was recognized for its innovative job generation, livelihood monitoring, and education initiative mechanisms. The local government’s creation of a brand-new department, PEESO or Public Education and Employment Services Office, dubbed as a “first in the Philippines”, has been instrumental in effectively strengthening the link between education and employment.
In 2018, the City was able to reach an all-time high 98% job placement rate. Tagum is one of the local governments which has successfully adopted Jobstart Philippines, an employment program for the youth in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment. In 2018, among the 82 enrolled in said skills and technical training program, 81 has found employment. Likewise, community-based skills training was conducted to target nutritionally-at -risk families and disadvantaged population groups. In 2018, 36 livelihood trainings were completed on flower arrangement, meat processing, detergent powder, and dishwashing soap making. were conducted covering 1,190 beneficiaries.
Putting premium on the City’s Food Source
For Tagum City, it goes without saying, farmers and fisherfolks play an important role in food security. This is why the City Agriculture Office (CAGRO) of Tagum is continuously improving the delivery of basic agricultural services to its own farmers and people. The City’s tribute for its farmers and fisherfolks can be summed up in one amazing event, the UGMAD Festival. This is an event where farmers, fisherfolks and even ordinary households can showcase their produce. CAGRO, as a member of the CNC, sees this festival as an opportunity for them to deliver support and services, not only to farmers and fisherfolks but to households in need. In 2018, 8,000 hito and 112,000 bangus fingerlings were distributed by BFAR, while 205 bags of rice seed subsidy were distributed by CAGRO to target beneficiaries. To further improve the delivery of agricultural services, the city government institutionalized and deployed 21 Barangay Agricultural Workers or BAW who will serve as CAGRO’s partners in monitoring and implementing the various agri-fishery related projects and programs at the barangay level. Among the many duties and responsibilities of these workers is the monitoring of backyard and community vegetable garden, under the Gulayan sa Pamayanan at Paaralan Program, provide technical assistance to households and the community in the proper implementation of community-based food production. In turn, these workers are supported by the city government with Php 2,500 monthly honorarium. Additional personnel was also hired by the city government to operationalize the Farmers Agriclinic, being an integral part of the Hugpong Serbisyo Para sa Tagumenyos. Through these additional personnel, the Agriclinic was able to extend technical assistance to 4,036 Tagumenyos and other agri-fisheries assistance to 8,066 individuals, empowering families including the nutritionally vulnerable sector of the city through agriculture and fisheries support.
Enriching lives through genuine, mother-baby friendly services
Hailed as a Child Friendly City, Tagum continuously reinforced its programs to ensure the children’s well-being and enrich the lives of their families. Through the City Health Office’s “Hit the Last Mile” Program, the city government was able to provide 100% of underweight preschool children with Vitamin A supplementation and 100% of infants, preschool children, pregnant and lactating women with iron supplementation. Meanwhile, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the conversion of 10 Day Care Centers into Child Development Centers ensured quality education among toddlers and young children. To top this off, the city government has established a top of the line Child Minding Center in the heart of the City Hall compound. Parents, city employees or otherwise, leave their children to the care of the center’s qualified personnel as they make their errands inside the city government building. The center offers complete amenities for the comfort and learning of the children such as bedrooms, playroom and a breastfeeding room for breastfeeding mothers.
After the city’s rigorous efforts in achieving good nutrition for all Tagumenyos, the city can now breathe a sigh of relief as a marked improvement in the nutrition situation among preschool children has been noted in 2018. From 2.3% prevalence of underweight and severely underweight preschool children in 2016, it is now down to 2.0%. The prevalence of stunting showed the most improvement with 9.1% prevalence in 2016 to 3.5% in 2018; while wasting went down from 2.2% in 2016 to 1.0% in 2018. On the other hand, the prevalence of overnutrition among preschool children also showed improvement with 2.3% prevalence in 2016 to 1.1% prevalence in 2018.
In their devotion to quality public service, the city continues to report impressive accomplishments. But as Mayor Allan L. Rellon said: “The continuing challenge is to sustain it”. Having won the 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award, the City can once again say: Tagum, Tagumpay!
Source: 2019 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony Souvenir Program
