DSWD partners with NNC-7

CEBU, Philippines —  Beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will soon have access to Family Development Sessions (FDS) of Nutriskwela Community Radio Program (NCRP) after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has forged partnership with National Nutrition Council (NNC-7).

The FDA-On-Air will be heard weekly over three nutriskwela community radio stations in Central Visayas---Radyo Kaigsoonan in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental; Radyo Kahimsug in Barili, Cebu; and Radyo Kalampusan in San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu.

FDS is one condition under the 4Ps program that gathers partner-beneficiaries once a month to discuss various development topics. But due to the pandemic, a weekly broadcast that will discuss variety of topics and sub-topics will be held in lieu of the monthly FDS session.

NNC-7, together with the DSWD-7 FDS focal person and the key personnel of the three NCRNP in Central Visayas, recently held a series of virtual dialogues where details of the program, including station handling, anchors, airtimes, program flow, and station policies were discussed.

NNC-7 regional nutrition program coordinator Dr. Parolita Mission said the tie-up is a very good opportunity to reach households with malnourished children for them to receive a correct and relevant health and nutrition information.

Mission said the strategy will not only reach those captured program beneficiaries but also the other listeners that can be reached by the community radio broadcasts.

DSWD-7 FDS focal person Emmalyn Morada said that the department recognizes the crucial role of community radio stations in disseminating the right information to the public.

Morada said that FDS is one good venue for the 4Ps household grantees and parents to enhance and learn new skills and knowledge in responding to their parental roles and responsibilities, particularly on health and nutrition, education, psychosocial needs of children, promotion of positive family values and strengthening marital relationships.

The NCRNP is an initiative of NNC-7 to empower the community through dissemination of correct, relevant, and up-to-date nutrition and health as well as educational and developmental information from pertinent sectors of the community, government agencies, and non-government organizations. — FPL (FREEMAN)