The City Government of Davao, through the Nutrition Division of the City Health Office (CHO), on July 1 launched this year’s Nutrition Month celebration with an information drive and other activities in the barangays.
For 50 years now, Nutrition Month is celebrated every July to raise awareness on the importance of proper nutrition, and encourage Filipinos to practice healthy eating habits consisting of healthier food options.
Beth Banzon, head of the CHO’s Nutrition Division, bared that the theme for this year’s Nutrition Month is “Sa Ppan sama-sama sa nutrisyong sapat para sa lahat!” emphasizing on their goal of reducing the cases of child stunting and all forms of malnutrition in the city.
Banzon said Ppan or the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition is the framework implemented to address the issues on nutrition that their division, and the city government as a whole, wishes to address.
“Unang-una, atoang pangalagaan ang atoang lawas kay kani isa lang, at the same time, ikaduha nato na concern is gusto nato ireduce ang child stunting, pagkabansot, and kanang pagtaba (Our primary concern is the health and wellness of our body. Second to this is our goal of reducing child stunting and obesity), Banzon said.
“Mao na dili man namo na makaya kung dili ta magtabangay tanan lalo na ang mga family, mga mothers, parents, atoang be it in the school children hangtod sa atoang mga seniors and adults kay kaning atoa man gud Philippine Plan of Action ang nakagwapo ani karon kay all life stages na siya (We can’t achieve all these alone which is why we have to work hand-in-hand especially in the families, the mothers, parents, be it with school children up to adulthood. The Ppan covers all stages of life which makes it a good plan of action),” she added.
On July 4, the Nutrition Division held simultaneous information drives in the First and Third congressional districts with activities not only for the barangay nutrition officers and barangay nutrition scholars but to all other stakeholders involved in promoting and implementing the nutrition programs of the city and the community.
Banzon also said that other than these information drives, there are also activities taking place in the barangays.
The CHO’s Nutrition Division continues to urge Dabawenyos to avail themselves of not only the nutrition-related programs of the city, but also of the free services offered in the CHO.
Pregnant women are also urged to avail themselves of the prenatal check-ups and other services ensuring the health and nutrition of their child. Families are also encouraged to have their own food gardens as source of healthy and organic food. CIO
