Bohol Province – The officers and select members of the Media Information Network for Nutrition and Development 7 (MIND 7), the regional media group in Central Visayas together with NNC 7 staff visited the municipalities of Tubigon, Calape and Carmen and BQ Mall in Tagbilaran City last December 9 – 10, 2011 for a Media Learning Visit. Within the 2 day visit, they were able to see firsthand the nutrition programs being implemented in these areas and institution like the Breastfeeding Station in public places and in the workplace, the Supplementary Feeding Program of day care children and the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon.
The group, led by Mr. Jun P. Tagalog MIND 7 President, first visited the municipality of Tubigon. Welcomed by no other than the Mayor of Tubigon, Hon. William R. Jao and members of the Municipal Nutrition Committee, the group visited the Breastfeeding Station in the Municipal Public Market. A lactation station is one of the identified approaches that support the Infant and Young Child Strategy and provides a safe, clean and comfortable place where mothers can breastfeed. The group was able to witness one mother breastfeeding her child in the lactation station and was able to hear from the mother the benefits that having the breastfeeding station in the market place brings to them. A minimum of two breastfeeding mothers use the room daily with a barangay nutrition scholar and barangay health worker taking turn in assisting the mother.
MIND 7 officers and members also observed the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development being implemented in the Municipality of Calape specifically in Barangay Tultugan. Mayor Sulpicio N. Yu Jr. greeted the group upon their arrival. The Supplementary Feeding Program is the provision of food in addition to the regular meals to currently enrolled day care children as part of DSWD’s contribution to the Early Care and Development Program of the government. The food supplementation is in a form of hot meals served during break time, 5 days a week for 120 days. They observed how the mothers and the day care workers prepared the food. RNC-TWG Chair & ND III of DSWD 7, Ms. Melinda D. Cañares also explained what SFP all about. The group also interviewed some of the implementers and parents of the beneficiaries. The parents are organized so that they will manage the feedings based on a prepared cycle menu. The vegetables used in the viands were grown from their own backyard or community gardens.
The group also met Bohol Governor & Provincial Nutrition Committee Chair, Hon. Edgardo M. Chatto. The governor talked about the efforts of the PNC in strengthening the Nutrition Structure in the province such as their quarterly meetings where he personally presides and designating of municipal nutrition program coordinator in every municipality. He was upbeat of his vision of achieving a zero malnutrition province-wide especially among 0-71 month old children. He prided that as of now, all the 1,109 barangays in Bohol have brand new salter type weighing scales which he distributed during the 9thProvincial Barangay Nutrition Scholars’ Congress held on November 16, 2011 in Lila, Bohol. The governor acknowledged the role of the media in advocating for good nutrition.
On the second day of the visit, the group visited the Breastfeeding Station at BQ Mall in Tagbilaran City. HR Supervisor, Mr. Leo Plazos happily welcomed the group and shared that he noticed less absenteeism among its female workers who can now do breast pumping during their breaks. A Lactation Station is one of the low-cost family-friendly facilities an employer can put at the workplace for the benefit of the breastfeeding mothers. It also demonstrates a supportive and caring approach for working families and makes good business sense.
The last area visited was the Municipality of Carmen, Bohol. The group witnessed the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon at Barangay La Paz. Pabasa sa Nutrisyon is a participative, circular gathering of ten to twelve mothers where health and nutrition is informally discussed. It is done to empower women in reducing their families’ vulnerability to malnutrition through adoption of proper nutrition practices and a healthy lifestyle. The groups was able to see the fun and visually appealing IEC materials that are easy to understand, which include the Nutri-Guide, Play and Learn Kit and the Flipchart. The mothers shared how effective the Pabasa is to them and how it has impacted their day to day living.
Overall, the regional media group was able to witness government efforts in improving the nutritional well being of the Filipino denizens especially in the province of Bohol. According to MIND7 President & DYLA General Manager “the activity was very meaningful as I had seen how NNC and the local government units touched the lives of people.”They were able to appreciate the importance of ensuring the nutrition of the children and its impact to the future. The Media Learning Visit was also supported by DSWD Region VII.
