With continued efforts to address malnutrition particularly stunting in the Province of South Cotabato which is likely to increase as one of the consequences of pandemic, the provincial nutrition office continues to deliver nutrition interventions and services to all its constituents to alleviate malnutrition problem.
2021 marks the fourth year of partnership of the Province of South Cotabato, Local Government Units (LGUs) and other stakeholders like Hapag-asa Integrated Nutrition Program, T’boli Mining Corporation (TMC), Tboli Multi- Fruit Grower (TMFG) and Mahintana Foundation Inc. on Supplementary Feeding Program for pregnant women and pregnant teens who belong to indigent and disadvantaged group in the community. Hence, last April 5 – 13, 2021 series of local launching of supplementary feeding program was held to the municipalities of Tboli, Norala, Banga, Polomolok, Tampakan, Tupi, Lake Sebu, Sto Niño and Tantangan, respectively. The municipal launching was participated by the Municipal Mayor’s representative, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO), Brgy. Officials and Provincial Nutrition staff.
The supplementary feeding program is dubbed as BATAK: “Buntis Alagaan, Tamang Atensyon Kailangan” its purpose is to provide the beneficiaries with supplementary food packs for sixty (60) days. The food packs include rice, monggo, glutinous rice, maternal milk, sugar, oil, salt, and canned goods. Beneficiaries will also receive Iron Folic Acid, which is essential for reducing the risk of death during pregnancy. Along with the food packs, they were given vegetable seeds. A total of one hundred (100) indigent and disadvantaged pregnant women were enrolled in the said program for 2021. Further, to follow the National Nutrition Council's (NNC) recommendation of ninety-day feeding program, the commodities needed for the remaining thirty days will be the LGU's counterpart. Moreover, The Barangay Nutrition Scholars, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of South Cotabato's Barangay Affairs Unit, will monitor the supplementary feeding program on a weekly basis to ensure effective and efficient implementation.
Pregnancy is a time of great happiness and fulfillment for a woman; thus, it is important for her to be provided with care, support, health, and nutrition services for a safe and healthy pregnancy. Likewise, it is important to continue the collaborative efforts in rendering quality nutrition interventions even amidst of health crisis to safeguard the health of both the woman and her developing child. (NO II Utlang/OIC-NPC Flores)
