The City Government of Isabela under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, through the City Population Management and Development Office and the City Nutrition Office headed by Jesielyn Puno, officially opened the “Idol Ko Si Nanay” Learning Sessions with Participatory Cooking Demonstration, November 25,at the JB Dans Hall, City Hall Complex, Sunrise Barangay.
The intensive training program, held from November 25–28, gathers Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and Nutritionist-Dietitians from various communities in the city. The initiative aims to strengthen local nutrition governance by equipping frontliners with updated knowledge, practical skills, and community-based strategies focusing on the First 1,000 Days, maternal health, child rights, and proper nutrition.
City Nutrition Program Coordinator Nuaima S. Abdurahman, RND, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of translating nutrition knowledge into long-term, life-changing community practices.
The program is divided into comprehensive modules facilitated by seasoned nutrition experts from Isabela City and neighboring provinces.
Module 1: Introduction opened with activities that allowed participants to get to know one another and share their expectations and session norms. The module also introduced key concepts on child rights and provided an overview of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), setting a strong foundation for the rest of the learning sessions. In Module 2: Pre-Pregnancy / Pre-Conception Care, Mary Lissa B. Vorong, RM, discussed how women can prepare physically and emotionally for pregnancy and why readiness is essential for a healthy journey. Meanwhile, Module 3: The Pregnant Woman, led by Ailrryst Gay T. Solosa, RND, covered key topics such as identifying healthy vs. danger signs, accessing health services, creating a birth plan, the role of partners, proper nutrition, fetal development, and the importance of psychosocial stimulation inside the womb. These sessions equipped participants with essential knowledge on ensuring safe and well-supported pregnancies.
These modules ensure that community health workers are fully equipped to guide mothers—from pregnancy to early child development—using evidence-based practices and culturally sensitive approaches.
“Idol Ko Si Nanay” is part of the city’s continuous investment in family-centered programs aligned with the Information Revolution and the 9-Point Priority Agenda of the Local Government Unit of Isabela City. By focusing on maternal and child health, the city aims to reduce malnutrition, improve maternal outcomes, and build informed communities capable of sustaining healthy practices.
The four-day activity will culminate with a participatory cooking demonstration, where participants will prepare nutritious, affordable meals using locally available ingredients—an approach that reinforces the practical application of nutrition education at the household level. (Words by KJ Lim/Photos by C. Digon, IsaTV)
