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On 14 September 2021, the Department of Education Regional Office (DepEd RO) III, spearheaded the very first Search for the Most Outstanding School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) Implementers for SY 2020-2021 via zoom platform.
The Search aimed to recognize the achievements of field implementers who relentlessly pursued and supported the government’s call to provide critical resources needed by the learners especially at the time that the global pandemic immobilized the world.
The Search was conducted online by the Regional Evaluating Team composed of Dr. Leonardo Zapanta, Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Leoncio Del Corro, Dentist III, Ms. Angelina Manio, Account III of DepEd Regional Office III, Ms. Crisel Pantalunan, Nutritionist-Dietitian III of DepEd and Ms. Rose Anne M. Cuyco, Nutrition Officer II of the NNC Region III.
The screening and evaluation were conducted via online platform in lieu of the actual school visit as the present COVID 19 pandemic prohibits the face-to-face school visit. School personalities who were interviewed during the screening were the school heads, school feeding coordinators, SGOD Chief, and SDO Focal Persons.
For a school to be nominated as the DepEd’s regional representative, it should generate an average score of 30%. The nominee was also requested to submit their copies of the SDO and Regional Level Evaluation Sheets, documentation report of the school’s implementation and a video documentation of the interview of the DepEd Regional Office III Focal Person.
From among the 21 SBFP in Central Luzon, only six (6) SBFP implementers emerged as finalists, namely: Abelardo Elementary School, Mabiga Elementary School, San Luis Elementary School, San Jose Patag Elementary School, San Rafael BBH Elementary School and Zambales Central Elementary School. Winners were recognized during the Awarding Ceremony for the Search for the Most outstanding Implementer of School-Based Feeding Program and Recognition of 3 Star Approach for 3 Consecutive Years held on 29 December 2021 via zoom application. San Rafael BBH Elementary School, School Division of San Jose Del Monte was Central Luzon’s regional entry for the Search.
In recent years, the DepEd has been continually assessing and improving its policies, implementation strategies and operational guidelines to better ensure that the SBFP attains its objectives. Program evaluation and review had proven that through the SBFP, the undernourished learner-beneficiaries had improved their nutritional status, were observed to have better class participation, exhibited positive health habits, and increased in their school attendance.
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Read more: NNC-Region III Joins the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit of Central Luzon
According to the Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, local government units (LGUs), specifically the cities and municipalities, have the critical role of providing basic social services to its constituents. Specifically, LGUs should “Ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, encourage and support the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment among their residents, maintain peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.”
The Seal for Child-Friendly Local Governance was proposed as a recognition and audit system for the LGUs that deliver clear and outstanding positive results for children. It is further seen as a shift from the voluntary assessment to a mandatory audit of LGU’s child friendly governance. The assessment criteria of the area in cognizant of the LGU functions, national plans, and international commitments, where all City and Municipal LGUs are assessed using the following indicators categorized under the four (4) core rights of children (survival, development, protection, and participation) and governance.
The Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force (Regional-IMTF) was composed of the following agencies: Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Office III (DILG RO III) and Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Field Office III (DSWD FO III) as the chair of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC-Region III). The Regional IMTF also include the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CL CHD), Department of Education Regional Office III (DepEd RO III), National Economic Development Authority Regional Office III (NEDA-RO III), National Nutrition Council-Region III (NNC-R III), and the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) as member-agencies and evaluators.
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Across the world, Philippines is one of the countries with high rates of malnutrition such as stunting and wasting, and overcoming stunting is our hope and dreams for Philippine’s little angels. However, the COVID-19 Pandemic has threatened the health and nutrition of the vulnerable sectors which include pregnant women and young children. Moreover, health professionals are alarmed with the possibilities that malnutrition in the country will further increase if no interventions will be put in place.
With that, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) together with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Zero Hunger started the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program (TKSP) with the aspiration to reduce stunting among children aged 6 to 23 months old during the pandemic. And in Central Luzon, the Province of Nueva Ecija is included in the priority areas of the said program.
Last October 20 and 22, 2021, Provincial Nutrition Focal Point (PNFP) Celestine Joy Membrebe had visited the 10 target municipalities in the Province of Nueva Ecija to personally introduce the TKSP to their Local Chief Executives (LCEs) and Sangguniang Bayan for Health. PNFP Membrebe explained the TKSP’s goal and objectives and discussed the very important roles that the Local Government Units (LGUs) should carry out to achieve the success of this program. Mayor Allan Xystus Gamilla of the Municipality of Bongabon, Mayor Florida P. Esteban of the Municipality of Cuyaoo, Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson of the Municipality of Quezon, Councilor for Health Joyce Bulalayao of the Municipality of Zaragoza, and Councilor for Health Pamela Magno of the Municipality of San Isidro all expressed their support TKSP as they recognized the program as a great step to prevent and reduce stunting.
As part of the region’s social preparation, the NNC-Region III has requested the LGUs to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NNC to formalize their support for the implementation of the TKSP. Prior to MOU signing, the Sangguniang Bayan of each municipality also crafted a resolution authorizing the LCEs to have a MOU with the NNC, with the goal of supporting and adopting the TKSP in the coming years for sustainability.
Indeed, this is just a little step in starting the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program in Central Luzon but this will also have a big impact on achieving its objective because all things can be done when all sectors work together. And working hand-in-hand, little by little for these children will serve as our little steps to heaven-like world for our future generation.
By: Celestine Joy Membrebe, Provincial Nutrition Focal Point for ECCD First 1000 Days
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By: Marie Joy S. Carbungco, Information Officer III - Philippine Information Agency Regonal Office III
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) cited outstanding nutrition committees and workers in Central Luzon through its 2021 Gawad Parangal sa Nutrisyon at Panapos na Pagdiriwang para sa Buwan ng Nutrisyon.
In her welcome message delivered by Regional Technical Working Group Chair Margarita Natividad, Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) 3 Chair and Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Corazon Flores urged the awardees to really push through the implementation of nutrition programs in order to produce a healthy and bright generation in the future.
She also cited the report of World Health Organization (WHO) which states that nutrition is critical part of health and development as better nutrition is related to improved infant, child, and maternal health; stronger immune system; safer pregnancy and childbirth; lower risk of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and other cardiovascular diseases; and longevity.
“People with adequate nutrition are more productive and can create opportunities that will gradually break the cycles of poverty and hunger. As such, as guided by our goals from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this cannot overly emphasize the goals of nutrition in health and development,” Flores said.
She also challenged the awardees to envision a future that is more nutrition-responsive, more adaptable, pandemic-resilient, and inclusive through implementing programs where more than numbers, clients are the center of service delivery.
For her part, Assistant Secretary and National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Azucena Dayanghirang lauded the awardees for their great contribution to the sustained implementation of their respective nutrition programs.
“I challenge the region to beef up more its efforts in nutrition program implementation especially in these trying times…We want more high performing local government units. Rest assured that NNC will continue to provide direction and technical assistance to further contribute to reducing hunger and malnutrition. I also hope that LGUs will integrate nutrition in their annual investment plans,” she said.
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Hello, November! It’s Children’s Month and NNC-Region III promotes the celebration and putting children’s concerns of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) of Central Luzon. As one of the members of this inter-agency committee, NNC supports the 28th National Children’s Month celebration with the theme: “Sama-samang Itaguyod ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya”.
There are 10 Filipino Children’s Rights (Karapatan ng Bawat Batang Pilipino) being espoused by the RCWC.
- Maisilang at magkaroon ng pangalan at nasyonalidad (The right to be born and to be given a name and a nationality);
- Magkaroon ng tahanan at pamilyang mag-aaruga (The right to have a home and a family who will take care for me);
- Manirahan sa mapayapa at tahimik na lugar (The right to live in a peaceful and healthy environment);
- Magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain, malusog at aktibong katawan (The right to have enough food, a healthy and active body);
- Mabigyan ng sapat na edukasyon (The right to education);
- Mapaunlad ang angking kakayahan (The right to develop oneself);
- Mabigyan ng sapat na pagkakataong makapaglaro at makapaglibang (The right to play and recreation);
- Mabigyan ng proteksyon laban sa pang-aabuso, panganib at karahasan (The right to be protected from abuse, danger and oppression);
- Maipagtanggol at matulungan ng pamahalaan (The right be protected and helped by the state); at
- Makapagpahayag ng sariling pananaw (The right to self-expression).
Of these 10 Children’s Rights, the 4th Karapatan ng Batang Pilipino, “Magkaroon ng Sapat na Pagkain, Malusog at Aktibong Katawan” highlights the important role of nutrition. From this standpoint, one may see when this Child’s Right starts and ends. This particular Child’s Right also encompasses RA 11148 otherwise known as the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act”, in support of the First 1000 Days program.
Read more: Children’s Rights: Highlighting Complementary Foods
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Read more: A Warm of Applause to the 2019 Central Luzon Winners in Nutrition
Finally, the Central Luzon 2021 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony and Culminating Nutrition Month Activity (Gitnang Luzon 2021 Gawad Parangal sa Nutrisyon at Panapos na Pagdiriwang para sa Buwan ng Nutrisyon) will be held on 21 December 2021 at 9:00 A.M. at the Hacienda Gracia Hotel and Resort, Sta. Maria, Lubao, Pampanga.
The Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) is an institutionalized activity of the Central Luzon Regional Nutrition Committee which is held annually. The revitalization of the annual RNAC this year only proves that COVID-19 pandemic is not a hindrance to celebrate success and to recognize deserving LGUs, individuals, partners and stakeholders who unceasingly perform their functions and contributed to ending hunger and malnutrition in the region.
The RNAC aims to: 1) give due recognition on the importance of local actions in improving the nutrition situation in Central Luzon; 2) pay tribute to Local Government Units (LGUs), non- government organizations and individuals with outstanding performance in nutrition program management; 3) renew commitment of the local nutrition networks towards the common goal of achieving nutritional adequacy for all; and 4) encourage communities, local governments, non-government organizations, private sector, media, the academe, policy makers and other stakeholders to put in place an enabling environment that promotes improved nutrition situation in the region.
This year’s RNAC will be held via hybrid (online and onsite) platform with 250 participants and guests expected to grace the event. A total of 50 guests and delegates headed by the respective Local Chief Executives as chairpersons of the provincial, city, municipal and barangay nutrition committees together with the Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (P/C/MNAOs), and selected members of the CL RNC are expected to be physically present in the venue to receive their awards while the 200 participants will be joining the NNC-Region III Team in the virtual platform via zoom app teleconference.
The top 2019 winners in nutrition are: Bulacan Province (Top Performing Province in the Region); Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) – Second Maintenance Awardees: Mabalacat City and Municipality of Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Green Banner Seal of Compliance (GBSC) for Bulacan Municipalities: Guiguinto, Marilao, Baliwag and City of Malolos; GBSC also for Nueva Ecija: Municipality of Quezon and San Jose City.
The CROWN Award is received by municipalities, cities, and/or provinces that excelled in nutrition program management and are bestowed the Green Banner Award in their respective regions for three consecutive years. The Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award, on the other hand is the highest citation given to local government units based on set of criteria defined in the new Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implement protocol.
Annually, the RNMET choose among the more than 3,000 BNSs deployed in 3,102 barangays in Central Luzon the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS) using NNC’s assessment protocol.
