Marketing Agreement Inked by National Nutrition Council and Baleno Christian Masagana Multi-purpose Cooperative in Masbate

by: YVONNE D. GULOSINO, PCDS – Masbate

Baleno, Masbate – On November 21, 2023, a Marketing Agreement was signed with the presence of Ms. Arlene R. Rearlrio, RND, MPS, MNSA, Ms. Clarlotte of NNC, CDA Staff PCDS Yvonne D. Gulosino and Board of Directors of Baleno Christian Masagana Multi-Purpose Cooperative.This Agreement pertains to the TK (Tutol Kainan) Dietary Supplementation Program that targets to benefit a total of 1,150 children aging 6-23 months old in different municipalities in Masbate. The program is now on its Phase 4 which will be immediately implemented in nine (9) municipalities namely: Aroroy, Baleno, Cawayan, Masbate City, Mandaon, Milagros, Mobo, Uson and Placer.

A total budget of Php 2,318,620.00 for the program were entrusted to the Baleno Christian Masagana Multi-Purpose Cooperative in which the 15% will be given by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) as an advance payment for the production of the necessary supplies while a total budget amounting to Php 284,739.00 was allocated for the Phase 6 which targets to benefit 98 pregnant women in the municipalities of Mobo and Baleno.

The NNC provided the list of goods and commodities to be supplied by the Baleno Christian Masagana MPC for the program, including the ceiling price of each item. This move aims to ensure the successful implementation of the program without exceeding the budget.

Due to the large volume of goods and commodities needed to continuously supply the dietary supplements, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) recommended to NNC to tap other micro cooperatives in nearby areas to become partners and participate in the program through coordination with the LGUs.

This pioneer program between the Baleno Christian Masagana MPC and NNC will open new opportunities to the cooperatives in Masbate. Having an accredited supplier that may become a consolidator in the future and through the help of CDA and DAR in identifying potential suppliers among micro cooperatives, it may pave a way for the improvement of the socio-economic condition of cooperative members by participating in increasing the production of vegetables and chicken to sustain the TK.

The program will eventually provide a market to the micro cooperatives if the vegetables and chicken they produce will be sold to the Baleno Christian Masagana MPC as they offer to pay the supplies right after the delivery. This scheme implies the 6^th and 7^th Principles of Cooperatives which are the “Cooperation among Cooperatives” and “Concern for the Community”. A meeting with the target partner cooperatives is set to schedule for further discussion.

Prior to the signing of said Agreement, Ms. Arlene R. Reario, RND, MPS, MNSA (Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator) together with Ms. Janine R. Molod, RND (Provincial Nutrition Focal Point-Camarines Sur) and Ms. Janel G. Corpus, RND (Project Development Officer I) visited the CDA Region V Extension Office in Naga City on October 24, 2023 to discuss about the possible Agreement between the CDA and NNC. Ms. Arlene discussed the existing NNC programs in the Bicol Region and inquired about the cooperatives that could be their partners in their implementation. Atty. Emilio D. Escueta III (CDA OIC-Regional Director) affirmatively responded to the NNC’s proposal to have an Agreement. This initial talk aims not only to identify the cooperatives that are capable in providing the needed supplies in NNC’s programs but also to build a strong rapport between the agencies towards food security and sustain a healthier generation.

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