Caraga has started mobilizing community support for IYCF in several barangays throughout the region. In Butuan City, the mobilization was conducted at Barangay Antongalon on March 6-7, 2014. Participants included 25 barangay personnel led by Barangay Captain Crisanto Carin. The volunteers included pregnant and lactating mothers from different puroks in the area. OIC City Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Nenita C. Rafanan, together with District Nutrition Program Coordinators facilitated the orientation and organization of the support group. The group called themselves the Breastfeeding Ambassadors and elected their officers.
In San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, the model barangay is Barangay Alegria which is led by Barangay Captain Solomon T. Rufila. Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Laniebelle T. Angchangco and Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Mamerlyn Bugaoan oriented the participants on the roles and responsibilities of the municipal and barangay IYCF Team. The mobilization happened on March 24-25, 2014. The Alegria group called themselves the IYCF Prime Movers. The volunteers were composed of representatives from senior citizens, religious sector, TODA, purok leaders and the pregnant and lactating mothers. Aside from volunteers from Barangay Alegria, there were volunteers from other barangays who observed the activity to ensure they will be able to replicate the mobilization in their own area.
In Bayugan City, the mobilization took place at Barangay Maygatasan on March 26-27, 2014. The group of volunteers named themselves the Maygatasan Breastfeeding Group. They were composed of barangay kagawads, BNS, BHWs and mother leaders. Barangay Captain Café expressed his support for the breastfeeding support group. Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Laniebelle T. Angchangco , OIC- City Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Ana Jane Garcia and City Nutrition Program Coordinator Mr. Carlo Magno Montesclaros led the orientation.
In Surigao City, the City Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Emmanuel A. Plandano, City Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Florence R. Dela Cruz, public health nurses and the rural health midwives converged on April 1-2, 2014 at Barangay Mat-I for the mobilization. The event started with a motorcade throughout the area to create awareness among the residents. After the motorcade was the community assembly participated by the volunteers as well as representatives from the youth sector, local high school, senior citizens, purok leaders and barangay kagawad. The midwives also gave an orientation to the volunteers on the use of the IYCF Counseling Cards. After the orientation, the volunteers pledged their commitment to support the group.
Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Ma. Lerma B. Erno with the help of the rural health midwife and public health nurse organized the community mobilization training at Barangay Poblacion in San Jose, Province of Dinagat Island. The volunteers came from different sectors such as senior citizen, purok presidents, 4Ps leaders, barangay kagawad, barangay council for protection of children. They elected their set of officers to ensure they would have people who will lead in meetings and advocacy activities. They also pledged their commitment to do their best to help promote optimal IYCF practices in their community.
NNC Caraga continues to monitor the other provinces and cities in the on-going community mobilization.
