NNC BARES ENGAGEMENTS WITH CARAGA STAKEHOLDERS

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

In time with the recently held Regional Nutrition Technical Working Group (RNTWG) meeting, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga bared various engagements with stakeholders in the region for the promotion of proper nutrition particularly during the first 1,000 days of life. The NNC focuses on the first 1000 days of life to underscore the importance of ensuring optimum nutrition to every infant/child as a strategic way to prevent stunting and even obesity.

In his report, Raphael Ochavo, nutrition officer I of NNC-Caraga revealed that as part of the strategies to intensify this campaign, the council has strengthened its partnership with the media and conducted press conference, accommodated live phone patch interviews, radio guestings, featured at PTV-4 thru the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga and produced radio plugging through Nutriskwela stations and governmentowned stations at the local level.

“We also conducted an orientation on the 10 Kumainments Nutrition School-on-the-Air Implementation in five radio stations from different local government units in the region. On July 21, 2021, a Nutrition Month Symposium was also held with sectoral groups thru face-to-face and Zoom platform with resource speakers from the Commission on Population and Development; Nanays sa Caraga; and Department of Health,” cited Ochavo.

On July 28, the NNC also spearheaded a webinar on Good Nutrition in the First 1000 Days with the following topics: a) Overview of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD-F1K); b) Maternal Health and Nutrition; c) Recommended IYCF Practices: Breastfeeding; d) Complementary Feeding for Infants and Young Children; e) Child Growth Development and Nutrition; f) How to Counsel on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition; and g) Behavior Change Activities on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF). Meanwhile, Retsebeth Laquihon, OIC-Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC also expressed thanks to PIACaraga for conducting the “Kapihan at SM City Butuan”, wherein the NNC was able to elaborate the campaign on the First 1000 days of child’s life and how to achieve the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), among others.

“Extend my gratitude to all the heads of agencies who had been very supportive to NNC and all its activities in the region. Thank you to PIA headed by regional director Abner Caga for the constant support and promotion of the NNC’s nutrition program and advocacy. We hoped to continue this partnership and intensify our efforts towards achieving our goals for the benefit of all Caraganons,” underscored Laquihon.

On July 31, the NNC Caraga and its network of health and nutrition workers, LGUs and non-government organizations attended the online dialogue of local chief executives organized by NNC Central Office in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). This year’s Nutrition Month was anchored on the theme “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!”. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) August 14-20, 2021 | 13