Nutrition stakeholders from Metro Manila gather in one forum to collectively advocate for the advancement of nutrition. (Photo courtesy: Official Facebook page of the Metro Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Various local nutrition champions in Metro Manila gathered in the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TKDSP) Advocacy Forum organized by the National Nutrition Council - National Capital Region (NNC-NCR) last Friday, February 23.
"Tutok Kainan" roughly translates to focusing on the quality, quantity, and nutrient-content of food intake.
The TKDSP Advocacy Forum aims to expand the network of nutrition stakeholders in the region towards the efficient localized implementation of the intervention programs that are anchored on the elimination of malnutrition.
Nearly 100 representatives participated in the said forum. They are composed of city and barangay nutrition action officers, nutritionist-dietitians, barangay nutrition scholars, barangay chairpersons, and other members of the barangay nutrition committees. Partners from the academe, private sector, and civil society were also present to support the program implementation.
During the forum, Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay of the Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) underscored the importance of prioritizing the nutrition of families and communities in the achievement of better health outcomes.
MMCHD Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay delivers a message during the TKDSP Advocacy Forum. (Photo Courtesy: Official Facebook page of the MMCHD)
“Tutukan ang nutrisyon, tutukan ang kalusugan because without nutrition, health is nothing, it is part of the totality of being you. Sana pagkatapos nito may maitabi tayo sa ating kaisipan, sa ating puso na pagdating ko sa aking lugar na pinaglilingkuran ay ibibigay ko kung ano ang kaya kong ibigay para sa nutrisyon, ibibigay ko kung ano ang magagawa ko,” said Magpantay.
(Prioritize nutrition, prioritize health because without nutrition, health is nothing, it is part of the totality of being you. I hope when this ends, you will retain in your minds and hearts the drive to give everything you can to contribute to the advancement of nutrition)
For her part, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) Mila Federizo urged the local nutrition stakeholders to work together in order to establish a malnutrition-free future for children.
RNPC Mila Federizo reiterates the priority thrusts of the NNC NCR against malnutrition. (Photo Courtesy: Official Facebook page of NNC NCR)
“Let’s stop stunting! Mag Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program tayo sa mga barangay. Kung ang mga kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan, tayo naman po ang kanilang pag-asa na makamit ang wastong nutrisyon. Wag natin silang biguin. Pagtulungan nating makamit ang nutrisyong sapat para sa lahat para sa bansang malaya sa gutom at malnutrisyon,” Federizo cited.
(Let’s stop stunting! Let us implement the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program in barangays. If the youth is the hope of our nation, we are their hope in achieving the right nutrition. Let’s not disappoint them. Let’s work together to achieve the right nutrition for all towards a nation that is free from hunger and malnutrition)
To date, NNC NCR is preparing for the conduct of Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Pro to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of local nutrition programs in Metro Manila.
The Tutok Kainan 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. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
