Bohol Province – The Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) of Bohol prepared for the full implementation of the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program (TKSP) as it finalized the masterlist of beneficiaries including their contact details for the nutri-text, readied the memorandum of understanding between the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and provincial government as well as the municipal LGUs who will be implementing the program.  The PNC secretariat also made social preparation with these LGUs, especially on the role definition of the municipal and barangay nutrition committee.

With the result of recent studies showing that Filipinos rank as the second shortest people in the ASEAN Region and as part of the programs under the Ambisyon Natin 2040, Philippine Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals and as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NNC piloted the implementation of TKSP in certain areas of the country.  The program which aims to reduce stunting among children under-five years old will be implemented in 13 municipalities of Bohol namely: Alburquerque, Baclayon, BienUnido, Buenavista, Corella, Danao, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Lila, Panglao, Pilar, Sikatuna and Tubigon.  

The TKSP Phase 3 will involve the provision of supplementary foods to 6-23 months old preschool children for the period of 180 days or 6 months. Beneficiaries were selected according to this descending priority: 1) Stunted 6-23 months old, 2) Wasted 6-23 months old, 3) Borderline stunted/wasted 6-23 months old, and 4) 6-23 months old regardless of nutritional status.

As part of the preparation for its full implementation, the PNC did a soft launching of the TKSP which also served as one of the highlights of the 48^th Nutrition Month celebration in the province. The soft launching attended by more than fifty (50) participants was held on 05 July 2022 at the New Provincial Capitol Building, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.  During the activity, ND II Marcel John J. Cartin of DOH CV CHD/NNC 7 presented the rationale of the program while PNAO Dr. Larry M. Pamugas gave a message. The soft launch was capped with ribbon cutting of the booths of food commodities to be used during the supplementation program were displayed. Watch out for more news about Tutok Kainan in Bohol province at NNC 7 Facebook page.  // ND II Marcel John J. Cartin, RND