By Freddie Lazaro
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has revived the Nutribun and pasteurized choco-milk drink to improve the nutritional status and boost the immune system of all children in the province amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
On April 27, the Ilocos Norte’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMC) and Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) will start a 120-day feeding program all over the province focusing on feeding the undernourished children with Nutribun.
According to Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, the project was a part of the service package under Nutrition in Emergencies where attention to feeding malnourished children during the COVID-19 pandemic was deemed essential and relevant to improve their nutritional status and boost their immune system.
Manotoc, in his earlier memorandum, urged all city and municipal mayors to ensure that their respective Nutrition Action Officers, along with chairpersons and nutrition scholars of recipient barangays, be present for the initial program mechanics briefing.
The governor, who is best known for his health-related initiatives, believed that with its new nutrition program, the provincial government would remain committed to further develop Ilocos Norte by investing in the health of the residence even during the COVID–19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Nutrition Action Office (PNAO) had previously coordinated with all City/Municipal Nutrition Action Offices in Ilocos Norte to inform distribution protocol, schedule, and other requirements. The delivery of the supply will be on a weekly basis.
The cities of Batac and Laoag, and Badoc, Pinili, San Nicolas, Currimao, and Paoay towns will receive their share every Monday, from April 27 to August 25; Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Dumalneg, and Vintar on Tuesdays from April 28, to August 26; and Banna, Dingras, Solsona, Nueva Era, Marcos, Piddig, Carasi, and Sarrat every Wednesday, starting April 2 to August 27.
First distributed for the supplementary feeding program of public elementary school children in the 70s under the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, the Ilocos Norte’s Nutribun provision aims to improve the nutritional status of children as well.