Malabon KKC finds ways to address kid hunger amid pandemic
CHILDREN under three and lactating moms need the most help with correct nutrition, most especially for proper brain development during a child’s first 1,000 days.
At this time of the Covid- 19 pandemic, however, LGUs and groups must immediately implement a nutrition program that has a proven record of success, showing the largest and most compelling impact with a longterm viability, which can be easily replicated by the most number of barangays.
This program called “Karinderia Para sa Kalusugan ni Chikiting at Buntis” or KKC was started by the Malabon LGU in 2018 by Mayor Lenlen Oreta, and is one of the most awarded and cited nutrition programs by the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
KKC ensures program sustainability since it considers both the providers (livelihood and income for small karinderias in every barangay) and the beneficiaries (those in need of nutritious food).
With the success of the program in Malabon, other LGUs and organizations inquired about the KKC. They visited Malabon, did benchmarking trips, and met with KKC stakeholders. Thus, Mayor Oreta, with Malabon Nutrition Action Officer Chef Melissa Oreta, decided to create a Manual of Procedures for the program.
The KKC Manual of Procedures was supposed to be presented to NNC Executive Director Dr. Apet Dayanghirang during the Summit on Scaled-Up Actions for Nutrition on March 27 but was postponed due to lockdown. Besides an extensive portion which details the procedures on how to implement the KKC, the manual includes info about manpower composition, budget computation, and monitoring and evaluation.
“KKC may be a Malabon concept, but we want to share it to the rest of the country, where it can bring more hope and more health to those who need it most,” Oreta said.