KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — To strengthen health interventions during the critical First 1,000 Days of life and beyond, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato successfully rolled out a province-wide Supplementary Feeding Program spanning all 10 municipalities and one component city from August 13 to 21, 2026.
The comprehensive nutrition drive merges three major provincial initiatives: BATAK (Buntis Alagaan, Tamang Nutrisyon ay Kailangan), Sagop Bata Program, and RST (Responsable nga Pagsaop kag Pagtatap) sa Nutrisyon.
The week-long series of launchings targeted 800 priority beneficiaries, comprising 300 pregnant women requiring maternal healthcare and 500 underweight children aged five years old and below to prevent acute malnutrition and stunting.
According to Noeleen Dumadag, Nutrition Officer II, integrating these three flagship programs ensures a seamless continuum of care from pregnancy through early childhood.
“Nutrition security during the first 1,000 days shapes a child’s lifelong physical growth and cognitive development. Through the combination of BATAK for expectant mothers and Sagop Bata alongside RST for undernourished children, we are delivering targeted food supplementation directly to the most vulnerable households across our municipalities,” Dumadag stated.
During the launching activities held in each LGU, member-agencies of the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) presented their respective sectoral interventions—ranging from agricultural support to social welfare programs—highlighting a multi-sectoral approach to eliminating local malnutrition.
To reinforce behavioral change and health education at the household level, the Office of the Provincial Information Officer (OPIO) actively participated in the municipal launchings by providing essential communication tools.
OPIO distributed transistor radio sets—enabling rural families to tune in to provincial government health advisories—and durable string bags featuring the localized “Pinggang Pinoy ni Toto kag Inday” graphic illustrations to promote balanced meal planning.
Rudy Jimenea, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) and Provincial Information Officer (PIO), emphasized that effective communication is essential to sustaining nutritional gains in communities.
“Addressing malnutrition requires more than providing meals; it demands empowering families with the right information. By distributing transistor radios and our ‘Pinggang Pinoy ni Toto kag Inday’ learning tools, we are bringing practical nutrition guidance straight into every home across South Cotabato,” Jimenea explained.
For first-time expectant mother Maevon Masa, 27, a resident of Barangay Katipunan in Sto. Niño, the BATAK program provides critical health support during a vital stage of her pregnancy.
“As a mother preparing for my baby’s arrival, having access to regular nutritious meals and health guidance gives me peace of mind. The provincial government’s support ensures that my child gets a healthy start even before birth, and it eases our financial worries at home,” Masa shared.
Meanwhile, Joyce Pojas, 40, from Barangay Teresita, Sto. Niño, expressed immense gratitude as her young son was enrolled in the RST sa Nutrisyon program to address his weight concerns.
“It has been difficult making sure my son gets the proper nutrition he needs to gain weight and stay healthy. Programs like this show that the province really cares for our children’s future. The feeding assistance and practical advice on balanced meals will make a huge difference in his daily growth and development,” Pojas said.
To sustain proper nutrition at home, each beneficiary receives a comprehensive food pack containing essential staples such as rice, pilit (glutinous rice), monggo (mung beans), cocoa powder, sugar, evaporated milk, sardines, corned beef, cooking oil, and iodized salt, along with specialized supplemental milk for pregnant mothers.
Additionally, the daily feeding menu features freshly prepared hot meals, including arroz caldo, champorado, and other nutrient-dense dishes designed to meet the specific dietary needs of the mothers and children.
The beneficiaries also received multivitamins and toothbrushes from the local dentist.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist provided vegetable seeds to ensure that food is always on the table.
“Ang hangyo ko sa inyo nga itanom kag buhion gid ining mga liso sang gulay sa inyo ugsaran kay daku ang mabulig sini nga masiguro nga may masustansya nga pagkaon nga mapreparar kamo sa tagsa ka adlaw,” Maricar Tionson, Agricultural Technician II, who sits permanently in the Provincial Nutrition Committee, reminded the participants during the orientation.
With the combined efforts of local chief executives, barangay nutrition scholars, and provincial agencies, South Cotabato continues to solidify its position as a leading province in maternal and child health care in Region XII.
