Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez yesterday signed a memoranda of agreement and understanding with the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation, Inc., for the Mingo MingGROW Protocol for Stunted Children, and the creation of the Nutrition Master Plan for Victorias City in Negros Occidental.
The MingGROW Protocol is a 12-month complementary nutrition program for stunted children ages 6 to 36 months old.
According to the World Health Organization, stunted children are those who have impaired growth and development due to poor nutrition, repeated infection, and deficient psychosocial stimulation.
Under the agreement, Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation shall ensure the daily provision of 16 to 24 ounces of fresh milk per child, and prescribe vitamins and minerals during the first month.
It shall also facilitate home and group visits and assist in creating family and community gardens for sustainable food supply, among others.
NVC CEO and President Millie Kilayko introduced the new nutrition program.
Under the program, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars will lead peer groups, consisting of the mothers of beneficiaries, which will monitor and record the developments of beneficiaries.
All peer groups created for this program will be qualified for the cash incentive at the end of the project period as soon as they complete the prescribed nutrition requirements.
These initiatives will be all in coordination with the Victorias LGU.
NVC will also provide siblings of the beneficiaries with Mingo meals.
Mayor Benitez also signed the memorandum of understanding with NVC for the planning and development of Victorias City Nutrition Master Plan.
Victorias City will be one of the pilot areas of NVC for the implementation of the newly designed and tested protocols for the eradication of malnutrition.
In his message, Benitez disclosed that through the partnership, the LGU aims to achieve zero stunted and severely stunted children in Victorias City.
Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, SP Committee Chair on Health Councilor Danilo De Asis Jr., Councilors Audie Malaga, Hermie Millan, Dino Acuña, and Dexter Senido, DOH Development Management Officer IV Adrian Hort Ramos, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Portia Mallorca, City Health Officer Dr. Richard Garlitos, OIC-City Agriculturist Leni Lacuesta, NVC Executive Director Inah Uytiepo, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars joined the activity.
Victorias LGU and NVC launched their first partnership last April 12, 2023, with the feeding program for 307 children in the city.*
