National Nutrition Council (NNC) and some members of the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) on Nutrition hand over program funds to four Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in Leyte under the Early Childhood Care and Development in the First 1000 Days (ECCD F1K) Program on April 10-12, 2017 in the Municipalities of Hilongos, Abuyog, Mahaplag and Baybay City in Leyte Province.

The 2017 Financial Plan for ECCD F1K covers activities for mothers in project areas including Barangay Nutrition Scholars and other health and nutrition workers through trainings, seminars, mother classes and household’s inputs for home food production.

Hilongos Mayor and Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) Chair Hon. Albert R. Villahermosa together with the Hilongos Municipal Sangguniang Bayan Council received a total of PhP3,654.118.00 million for fifty-one (51) barangays in the municipality. Abuyog Mayor and MNC Chair Hon. Lemuel Gin K. Traya together with the Abuyog MNC members received PhP4,470.118 million, an amount covering sixty-three (63) barangays of Abuyog, Leyte. The Municipality of Mahaplag Leyte through MNC Chair Hon. Daisy A. Llevi received PhP2,090.118 million to cover twenty-eight (28) barangays in her municipality.

On a turnover of cheque in the City of Baybay, City Mayor and City Nutrition Committee Chair Hon. Carmen L. Cari expressed her profound appreciation to NNC on the big amount intended to improve the city people’s health and nutrition well-being. Mayor Cari together with the City Nutrition Committee received PhP6,442.118.00 million, covering ninety-two (92) barangays in 2017 ECCD F1K program implementation.

The ceremonial turnover of ECCD F1K program funds was graced by Ms. Jana Marie L. Culla, National ECCD F1K Program Coordinator and participated in by the RTWG members to include Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Provincial Government of Leyte and the Visayas State University (VSU) BIDANI.

RNPC Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr., in his message, conveyed for the participation and the interagency important role in the success implementation of the ECCD F1K Program. He likewise appreciated the active endorsement of the Nutrition Committees on their respective City and Municipal Nutrition Action Plans (C/MNAPs) which will guide them on the full implementation of the nutrition programs as stipulated in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022.

The ECCD as mentioned in Republic Act 10410, otherwise known as Early Years Act of 2013, refers to the full range of health, nutrition, early education and social services development programs that provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years to promote their optimum growth and development. ###