TACLOBAN City—Samar’s First 1,000 days Program dubbed “Tatak Tangkad” shared on Friday by Samar Governor and Provincial Nutrition Committee Chairperson Hon. Reynolds Michael T. Tan and gained support from the audience during its second semester meeting of the Provincial Development Council held at the Samar State University Convention Center, Catbalogan City, Samar.

Tatak Tangkad Program was launch on May 14, 2021, the first in Eastern Visayas region to adopt the 1,000 days program which aimed at reducing child malnutrition particularly stunting.

Governor Tan in his presentation shared that the program hopes to address stunting and other forms of malnutrition in a holistic approach linking both nutrition specific and sensitive interventions.

Samar Province posted a high prevalence of stunting at 26.1% in the 2020 Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+) report.

Inspired by the story of Alfie, Governor Tan assured on an integrated approach including intensive partnership in reducing malnutrition in the Province of Samar.

The good Governor shared the PNCs commitment to the local government units in the implementation of the Tatak Tangkad Program. Lined-up support are on Barangay Nutrition Scholar’s (BNS) performance incentives; financial support to adolescent and indigent pregnant women to access basic and nutrition services; provision of nutrition passport (expanded MC book) for pregnant mothers to avail government services; capacity building and health nutrition services; and coaching and mentoring of health and nutrition managers to improve services.

In his closing statement, Governor Tan asked the support of all stakeholders to fill in the puzzle and work hand in hand to achieve the vision of an improved quality of life for all Samarnon in 2025.

Amongst the mayor’s response is on the creation of the nutrition office with the nutrition action officer as inclusion in the Devolution Transition Plan which shall be implemented in 2022 onwards.

In attendance are the local chief executives, municipal planning and development coordinators, civil society organizations and other development partners across the Samar province. #NASLabordo