Activities mark 48th Nutri Month celebration
Various activities in the barangays are scheduled in celebration of the 48th nutrition month, commencing with the hanging of streamers in key areas last July 11, and culminating program at the Baguio Convention Center on August 5 with awards for Nutrition workers’ service and contest winners.
A nutritious “Pakape sa Parke” after the city hall flag raising ceremonies, with brewed, soya coffee, and organic lemongrass paired with boiled eggs and banana, kamote, and ube-cheese pan de sal, marked the start of the celebrations.
The launching was graced by Congressman Marquez Go’s wife, Soledad Go who is a staunch supporter of nutrition plans and programs; Health Services Office (HSO) assistant head Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes; Speaker for the occasion National Nutrition Council (NNC) Officer Bella Basalong; and Nutrition Officer Angelita Sabado.
With the theme, “New Normal na Nutrisyon, Sama-samang gawan ng Solusyon,” the barangays have coordinated webinars, lectures, fora, information dissemination as to different nutrition concerns: breastfeeding and the first 1000 days of life; the proper food pyramid or Pinggan Pinoy; prevention of malnutrition, obesity and diseases; immunization and vaccination; and other health-related topics in coordination with the Health Services Office Nutrition Office, Mountain Province Mission (MPM), Blue Zone Wellness, Department of Education (Dep-Ed), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), other concerned office and civic groups.
Exercise, Zumba, aerobics and line dance groups have also scheduled barangay sessions with efforts for weight loss, hypertension control, and prevention of cardiac disease.
Even social media applications: Tiktok challenge; fashion, photo, costume; jingle and song writing contests focused on nutrition are done online, mostly for the younger group. Some food preparation and cooking contests are also done online, while face-to-face demonstrations are needed in the livelihood component: jam and wine-making, woven rag production and clay molding.
Healthy babies, children, mothers and sprightly seniors are searched out as representatives of their groups in barangay contests, while the less healthy ones are persuaded to exert effort in “before and after” processes, to show physical change and development, and be models for health and nutrition.
Biggest losers for overweight individuals, highest gained weight and most improved weight for the underweight are also recognized in the barangay level.
There is the literary side; where poems, posters, stories, essays; and coloring collages, face mask design, and Laro ng Batang Pinoy are part of the celebration.
Backyard and community gardens’ contribution to the dining table are also showcased this month, as with the cleanest eateries for preparations and service, and hygienic components.
Other components of the celebration include the distribution of seeds, iodized salt, multivitamins, ascorbic acid; mass feeding and soup kitchens; tree-planting.
A nutri-song contest in the barangay level happens from July 14 to 27.
At the HSO, the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) fair opened Tuesday morning with booths for Information and Education Campaign (IEC) for Infant and Young Children Feeding; Dietary Supplementary Program; Wash, Anti-Dengue, and Population Control under the Health Promotion Program; Livelihood; Nutrition Promotion, Overweight and Obesity Management; Home and Community food production; Micro nutrient supplementation/Food Fortification, and Nutrition Promotion for Behavioral Change.
As part of the nutrition month celebration, the fair aims to educate the public on the nutrition specifics leading to food security, and a healthier community. The fair closed on Thursday, July 14. – Julie G. Fianza
