In preparation for the implementation of the Tutok Kainan: Dietary Supplementation Program (DSP) for pregnant women and 6-23 months old children, NNC 9 Provincial Nutrition Coordinator (PNC) for Zamboanga del Sur, Ms. Marie-Claire Gaas, conducted another set of orientations to the Nutrition and Health Implementers in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur (ZDS) on May 5 and 6, 2021.

On May 5 and 6, 2021, PNC Gaas, visited the Municipality of Aurora and Bayog, respectively, to conduct the orientation where one (1) Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, one (1) Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinator, and a total of seventy seven (77) Barangay Nutrition Scholars were in attendance.

The same with other LGU orientations, PNC Gaas presented the main objective of the DSP known to be contributory in the prevention of stunting among children 0-23 months old by improving the quality and quantity of food and nutrient intakes and utilization of related ECCD F1KD services among nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and children 6-23 months old in the target Tutok Kainan program areas along with the other nutrition and nutrition-related interventions. The priority groups are nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women in their 3rd trimester, pregnant women in 3rd trimester and nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women regardless of gestational age.

During the activities, PNC Gaas imparted on the real-time reporting mechanisms on acceptance, inspection, distribution of commodities, and actual feeding via SMS, which will be received directly at the NNC Central Office. Daily, weekly, and monthly summaries, by the barangay and municipality/city will also be generated to determine if the targets are being met. For the follow up weights of pregnant women, it will be reported by the BNS on the 30th, 60th, and 90th day of feeding. Aside from reporting through SMS messaging, monitoring forms must also be accomplished down to the barangay level to keep track of their daily reports. This will also be reflected in the municipal and provincial monitoring template.

Again, NNC9 is hopeful that with these orientations, participants will help augment the workforce of the program implementers as well as assist the agency in the monitoring and reporting of the program developments.

PNC-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas