National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region XII headed by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Arceli M. Latonio will be conducting four (4) batches of orientation on Community Support for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Program. The latter aims to orient the health and nutrition workers that have been previously trained on IYCF counseling from 2007-2011 by the NNC.

The said activity will be conducted this October and to be attended by selected participants from all over the region, composed of two (2) participants per municipality and city and three (3) per province.

The first batch was conducted last October 8-11, 2013 at SunCity Suites in General Santos City. One of the resource persons was Ms. Raquel B. Buere, City Nutrition Program Coordinator of Naga City. The three (3) remaining batches are scheduled on: October 15-18, October 21-24 and October 22-25, all to be held at Family Country Hotel and Convention Centre in General Santos City. RNPC Latonio together with the PNAO of South Cotabato Maria Ana D. Uy, and the NNC Staff from the region will facilitate the remaining batches.

This orientation will introduce the basic eight (8) steps needed to organize and mobilize community support groups for implementing and expanding IYCF program. Part of the activity includes the conduct of practicum in one of the selected barangays in the city. In addition, participants are expected to roll-out the training and to organize IYCF support groups and provide mentoring and supervision to peer counsellors.