The Regional Nutrition Committee XII held its 3rd Quarter meeting along with the project site visit on the good Nutrition Practices in the Region last July 11, 2013. The project visit aims to showcase the nutrition projects with good nutrition practices initiated by selected LGUs in Region XII. This strategy aspires to strengthen the promotion and replication of good nutrition practices to/by other areas.
Its first stop – the Municipality of Malungon.
Hon. Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino warmly accepted the RNC Members in their municipality during the courtesy call. Throughout the meeting, the Municipal Mayor assures the committee of their utmost efforts to improve the nutritional status of preschool and school children in their locality. He then, enumerated the innovative strategies they had done and hopes that the RNC members will have a fun-filled and educational encounter with the Nutrition practices done and to be implemented by the Municipal Nutrition Committee.
Ms. Roselyn D. Constantino, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer took charge of guiding the delegates into exploring their good nutrition practices. She showcased their (RFC} Nutri Care Center in which undernourished children are adopted, fed and cared until they return to normal statem. Also, the Restore Food For Children (RFC) Nutri Farm was given attention due to its various vegetable plants. Fish ponds and small animals are also established/ available as source of protein. The ingredients used in their feeding came from the backyard itself- Nutri Farm, in which they can be assured that it is organic, safe and fresh. Likewise, the RFC Multi-purpose center strikes the RNC team because the structure which was donated by Congressmen Manny Pacquiao was utilized for feeding underweight children, feeding demo area, breastfeeding room, view deck and RFC Nutri store designed to help raise funds for undernourished children. A long walk led the delegates to the Reform, For a Cause (RFC) Kamaligs- a compound with multi-purpose huts (31 huts) of all 31 barangay. These huts are used to house pregnant women living in far areas weeks before they give birth to ease access to birthing centers thus minimizing complications as well as to house patients from far flung areas who are under medication and served as sleeping quarters for barangay constituents attending activities in the town proper or outside their barangays.
Our last stop- General Santos City featuring its Breastfeeding Stations in public areas. Two of the many sites were visited, the Brgy. North Dadiangas Health Center which strongly promotes breastfeeding along with milk banking. Another area was at the General Santos City Public Terminal. A room was intended for breastfeeding mothers to provide them comfort and privacy. The Government of General Santos City aims to provide all public areas with a breastfeeding for they believe – Breastmilk is BEST for babies.