During this time of health crisis, strong partnership among stakeholders is a must to intensify collaborative efforts to safeguard the health and nutrition status of vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant and lactating women, and senior citizens.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Arakan through the Municipal Nutrition Office in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation Inc. launched “Kusina ng Kalinga” project – a Gawad Kalinga’s strategic response to address chronic hunger and malnutrition among 0-12 years old and pregnant and lactating mothers. The launching activity was held last February 22, 2022, at Barangay Kabalantian, Arakan Cotabato, it was graced by Hon. Rene V. Rubino – Municipal Mayor, Hon Jenifier A. Pangilinan – Municipal Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members and Hon. Vena Mae A. Cambel, South Central Mindanao (SCM) team leader representative and Kusina ng Kalinga (KnK) Program Head Mr. Mark Lawrence Cruz with the KnK team, Gawad Kalinga (GK) Head of Cotabato Province – Hon. Ryle John Caogdan and Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) - Food Technology Department. Moreover, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, Ms. Michelle Habibun and the rest of the Municipal Nutrition Committee and Barangay Nutrition Committee chair and members and the 196 beneficiaries were also present during the activity.
The Program’s objective is to end hunger and improve nutrition for Filipino children and their families, provide information education campaign and nutrition related services to the beneficiaries to promote and advocate optimal nutrition. A total of 351 beneficiaries were targeted, covering the 7 puroks of Brgy. Kabalantian. The said barangay was chosen as the project's beneficiary because it is one of the municipality's Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged (GIDA) areas, has Indigenous People (IP) community, and with high prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting.
The Kusina ng Kalinga project is established through collaborative efforts of local government units, schools, organizations, and corporate partners. Further, it is driven and sustained by "Bayanihan" (solidarity and collaboration), which serves as living proof that collective care and sharing is the solution to end child hunger. Hunger ends where caring begins. (NOII Utlang/NOIII Flores/RNPC Laquihon)
