October 7, 2021 | Agusan del Sur, In line with the implementation of Dietary Supplementation Program: Tutok Kainan (DSP-TK), NNC Caraga facilitated an orientation for the barangay implementers in the Province of Agusan del Sur on October 7, 2021 via Zoom video conferencing. The orientation was conducted as part of the social preparation of the program. This program focuses on improving quality and quantity of food and nutrient intakes and utilization of related Early Childhood Care and Development -First 1000 days services among nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and 6-23 months old stunted children. The participants were from the 11 identified local government units (LGUs) of Agusan del Sur. Through the initial coordination of Provincial Nutrition Focal Point (PNFP) Mariella P. Rayco with the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) Laniebelle T. Angchangco, the Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs), and MNAO-designates, RHU midwifes, nutrition officers, barangay nutrition scholars together with their Barangay Nutrition Committees members were able to attend the virtual orientation for DSP-TK implementers.

During the orientation, PFNP Rayco emphasized the main objective for the launching of this program and how it can benefit the identified 6-23 months old children of their respective barangays. The roles and responsibilities of the barangay implementers were also highlighted as they are the main movers of this program. Real-time SMS reporting systems on the receiving, inspection, distribution of commodities, actual feeding, baseline and follow up nutritional assessments were also discussed as part of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting component to keep track the progress of the program implementation. Technicalities for the program were also agreed upon such as the work plan for the DSP-TK implementation, the mode of distribution of commodities from the supplier to the LGU to the beneficiaries, the schedule of the distribution of commodities, and the storage room for the commodities. (PFNP Rayco)