240 children from Pamplona and Bais City complete phase 3 of ‘Tutok Kainan’

BAIS CITY – Some 240 children ages 6-23 months old who were enrolled under the “Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program” (TK DSP)-Phase 3 from Pamplona town and Bais City in Negros Oriental have completed the 180 days food supplement program in April this year.

According to the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Region VII, theTKDSP-Phase3 and Phase 4 were simultaneously re-launched on February 16, 2023 but were halted due to the non-availability of food commodities. Pamplona town and Bais City welcomed the resumption of TKDSP in Negros Oriental especially the parents and the children beneficiaries.

Bais City Nutrition Program Coordinator (CNPC) Ramon Anton Valencia and Nutrition Officer, Kristal Katrina Bacay reoriented parents and program beneficiaries as part of the preparation for the resumption of TK DSP Phase 3 in the City. 

The TKDSP provides food commodities to children who are enrolled in the program good for 180 days as supplement to their regular meals, according to NNC-7, the supplemental food is given at 10:00AM and at 3:00PM everyday with allocation distributed for the weekend.

With the dietary supplementation is the provision of complimentary activities such as health and nutrition education and teaching the household on food security with the available resources in the community, NNC-7 said.

NNC-7 said, the TK DSP aims to improve the quality and quantity of food and nutrient intakes of beneficiaries by providing nutritious food commodities to pregnant women for 90 days and to children 6-23 months old for 180 days.

Priority beneficiaries of the program are nutritionally at-risk or undernourished pregnant mothers and children 6-23 months old.  It also ensures the delivery of complementary early childhood care and development (ECCD) services in the first 1000 days pursuant to RA 11148 or the Kalusugan ng Mag-Nanay Act.

As part of the preparation for the resumption of program implementation, the local nutrition committees were reoriented on the program objectives, roles of parties, scheme of feeding, commodities to use, complementary activities and other relevant information to ensure the success of the program.

The program beneficiaries were also reviewed on their tasks and responsibilities and ways to feed their children using the commodities provided by NNC. They were also reminded to participate in the complementary activities initiated by their Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNC). 

Nutrition Officer Kristal Katrina Bacay took the opportunity to gather feedbacks from parents of children enrolled in the program. Majority of the parents expressed gratitude of being part of the program as it has helped their children improve their weights.

“Abtik na kaayo akong anak Mam kon itande sa iyang maguwang,” said by one of the mothers interviewed. They also collectively shared that they participated in the activities conducted by the BNC such as growth monitoring, nutrition education activities, and counselling on the best soil to use in the seeds provided by the City Agriculture Office.

With the aligned efforts of the local, provincial, regional, and national government, these minor steps would help accomplish the goal of providing quality nutrition services to the constituents and contribute to achieving Nutrisyong sapat, para sa lahat. (Photos: NNC7/Kristal Katrina Bacay)