Compostela Valley Province-–The provincial government of Compostela Valley through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) launched the 44th Nutrition Month Celebration on July 2, 2018 at the Capitol Lobby, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval with the theme:“Ugaliing magtanim, Sapat na nutrisyon aanihin!”.
Dr. Abigail A. Amores- Medical Officer-IV and the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) said that based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2013, Filipinos from various population groups continue to be affected by micronutrient deficiencies, particularly Iron, Iodine and Vitamin A.
In her report, in 2017, there are 2,064 malnourished pre-school children in Comval, out of 351,026 pre-school children in the eleven (11) municipalities. “The highest number (391) is seen in the municipality of Monkayo and the lowest (11) in Nabunturan. While the Provincial Prevalence rate is 0.59% one of the lowest in the country but 2,064 is still an alarming number.”
“To address food and nutrition insecurity, sustainable food resources, such as food gardening, is considered. In the Philippines, only 7 out of 10 households (67.7%) practice food gardening at home. Majority of households with home gardens (79.1%) utilize their produce for personal consumption, while only 17.6% were able to consume and sell their produce,” Amores added.
Meanwhile, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, food gardens address food and nutrition security by providing direct access to a variety of nutritionally-rich foods; increase purchasing power from savings; generate additional income; and provide fallback during disasters and seasonal lean periods.
The celebration aims to contribute to improve nutrition through improved food access by increasing the number of households, schools, and communities engaged in food gardens.
“Nutrition Month is a yearly campaign held every July to create greater awareness among Filipinos on the importance of nutrition,” said Amores.
Meanwhile, the lined up activities of the PNC of this month’s celebration are the Dance Fitness of all Capitol employees, Search for Best Healing Garden for Barangay Level, Evaluation for Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS), Evaluation for Regional Best Nutrition Implementer for the Green Banner Award, Cooking Contest for the Provincial, National and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Category and the Culmination Program onJuly 30, 2018.
The commemoration of the 44th Nutrition Month celebration is pursuant to the Presidential Decree 491 (1974) or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines mandates the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to lead and coordinate the nationwide campaign.(Rey Antibo, ID Comval)
