PBSP NextGen Initiative (MaMa/F1KD)

On June 10, 2025, PBSP’s MaMa First 1,000 Days (F1KD) team conducted its Maalam na MaMa Nutrition Education Session for program beneficiaries in La Carlota City. A total of 13 MaMa beneficiaries attended the sessions, which covered basic food groups (Go, Grow, and Glow), the food pyramid, and discussion on planning, deciding, and purchasing for the household. The session was contextually designed to equip mothers with practical and evidence-based knowledge on how to care for themselves and their children during the critical First 1,000 Days period.

At the end of the session, the mothers were provided with grocery packs containing fresh, locally sourced vegetables supplied by partner farmers from Negros Occidental. The activity ensured that participants received not only nutrition education but also tangible food assistance to support healthy feeding practices at home. The grocery packs were consolidated by a partner organization under the Kain Tayo Pilipinas (KTP). This collaboration highlights the growing synergy among KTP member organizations, demonstrating how program partners can work together to address food security and nutrition gaps at the community level.

The initiative reflects PBSP’s commitment to strengthening local nutrition service delivery through strategic partnerships and community-driven interventions.

Thirty five of the first 220 MaMa F1KD beneficiaries participated in the kickoff activity of the Masiglang Kamusmusan phase of the program held last February 11, 2025 in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. In partnership with the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC), University of St. La Salle (USLS), and the local government of Don Salvador Benedicto, children aged 7 months and above began their 17-month complimentary feeding - aimed at sustaining the nutritional gains achieved that started during pregnancy and continues throughout their first 1000 days of life. NVC, USLS, and PBSP are part of the Negros Occidental Nutrition Alliance (NONA).

In the same activity, the fourth Maalam na MaMa nutrition education session was also conducted, focusing on providing nurturing care in support of child growth and development. Various volunteers from Negros Occidental were also present to assist in the rapid assessment of each child (height and weight measurement, pediatric checkup, parent counselling, etc.).

MaMa F1KD Program is one of PBSP’s flagship NextGen Initiatives, a curation of comprehensive programs designed to address fundamental challenges in health, education, environment, and livelihood. The ambitious 36-month program seeks to sustainably support communities through maternal and child care initiatives such as provision of free antenatal tests, multiple micronutrient supplementation, nutrition education, complimentary feeding, and sustainability mechanisms - with the ultimate goal of securing a child’s normal nutritional status during the crucial first 1000 days of life.