The National Nutrition Council – Region 5 led by NPC Arlene R. Reario together with ECCD F1K – PNC Betito, handed over the 2017 funds for the implementation of the program components on mother’s classes, nutrition education, home food production, and monitoring to all the ECCD F1K areas in Camarines Sur, namely Iriga City and the municipalities of Bato, Libmanan, and Sipocot with a total number of 190 barangays. These areas were considered to have the highest magnitude of poverty ranging from 23% to 40.3%.

The municipality of Bato was the first to receive its financial assistance on 7 April at Rotber’s Garden, Sta. Cruz, Bato, Camarines Sur during the consultative meeting for Nutrition Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security, with Mayor Francisco B. Bernaldez.

Mayor Bernaldez extended his gratitude to the national government especially to the National Nutrition Council for considering Bato as one of the beneficiaries of ECCD F1K Program. He believes that through this program, the prevalence of malnutrition, particularly the problem of stunting and socio-economic situation in his municipality will improve.

For the City of Iriga, Mayor Madelaine Y. Alfelor received the financial assistance for ECCD program amounting to Php 2.6 M on 5 May 2017 at the City Hall’s Conference Room. The ceremony was followed with a special meeting with the ECCD team on the proper implementation of the program. Mayor Alfelor committed to ensure the efficient implementation of ECCD program in the City.

The Local Government of Libmanan and Sipocot received their ECCD fund on 8 May 2017 at their respective municipalities. During the turn-over ceremony, a special meeting was held where Mayor Brioso and his MNC committed to prepare a detailed work and financial plan for the various components of the program. Mayor Rogenor R. Astor of Sipocot and his team received the cheque in the amount of Php 3,314,118.00 which will be used for nutrition activities targeting households with pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 0-23 months.

All the 4 mayors who received the ECCD fund are unanimous to do the best they can towards fighting malnutrition, particularly stunting among 0-23 months children in their respective areas. Together with their local nutrition committees, NNC is optimistic that this will indeed be accomplished, given the dedication and strong commitment of the members of the local ECCD teams.

Next steps to look forward are health and nutrition promotion, mother’s classes with food demonstration, orientation and training on home food and livestock production. NPC Reario and the members of Regional ECCD Team will continue to assist all the ECCD F1K areas towards implementing efficient and effective programs for young children.