THE City Government of Tagbilaran, through the Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility (TCPCF) Nutrition Office, conducted the 2025 Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Program on August 29, 2025 at JJ’s Seafood Village.
The IYCF Program is a key public health initiative designed to improve the nutrition and health of infants and young children by promoting optimal feeding practices.
This year’s whole-day activity centered on lectures and discussions that highlighted the following: importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life; introduction of diverse and nutritious complementary foods at six months; educating caregivers on responsive feeding and hygiene; and addressing nutritional deficiencies through locally available food or supplementation.
Participants of the program were pregnant women from the 15 barangays of Tagbilaran City, and all of them also received milk supplementation as part of the city’s nutrition support.
City Health Officer Dr. Jeia Pondoc welcomed the participants and emphasized the city’s commitment to sustaining family-centered health programs that address malnutrition at its roots.
The lectures featured Ms. Ernielyn Butalid of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7, and City Nutritionist Rey Delos Santos who spoke about national IYCF strategies and gave practical guidance on local nutrition practices and the importance of a balanced diet for expectant mothers and children.
In her message delivered during the event, Mayor Jane Yap reaffirmed the city’s commitment to maternal and child health, stating: “The health and future of our children begin with proper care and nutrition from the very start of life. By empowering mothers with knowledge and support, we are building stronger families and a healthier Tagbilaran City.”
The IYCF Program reflects Tagbilaran City’s proactive approach to preventive health care, ensuring that the next generation grows up healthier and better nourished.
