Baguio City-- In observance of the Nutrition Month and the World Population Day, the Regional Nutrition Committee- Cordillera and PopCom-CAR in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency-CAR and the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives held the Joint Nutrition Month and World Population Day Kapihan sa Baguio last July 9, 2014 at PIA-CAR Conference Room attended by around 30 local media partners.

The panelists were composed of NPC Rita D. Papey of NNC-CAR; Dir. Rosa Fortaleza of PopCom-CAR; ARD Amelita Pangilinan of DOH-CAR, ARD Jojo V. Valera of OCD-CAR; Ms. Marcia Espinueva of DSWD-CAR and Ms. Michelle Andaya of Deped-CAR anchored by Ms. Jing of DZEQ Radyo ng Bayan- Baguio and Ms. Susan Aro of the Philippine Information Agency.

The event aims to increase awareness of the listeners and televiewers in celebrating the nutrition month with the theme: “Kalamidad paghandaan: Gutom at malnutrisyon agapan!” and the World Population Day with the theme: “Investing in Young People!”.

NPC Papey highlighted that it is important to be prepared in order to prevent death and protect the right to nutrition of affected populations during emergencies. “The affected populations are more likely to experience malnutrition because of lack or inadequate food and water, poor access to health services, civil insecurity and inadequate delivery of assistance. Population groups who are already malnourished even before the emergency are more vulnerable to illness and death during emergencies” she added.

Papey and ARD Pangilinan also stressed the need for the organization of the local nutrition clusters to ensure delivery of nutrition services during emergencies as provided for by the RDC-CAR Resolution No. 04 Series of 2014 requiring all LGUs to designate their respective Local Nutrition Committees to serve as the Local Nutrition Cluster.

On the other hand, Director Fortaleza said that as the youth’s population increases, their role in the society becomes significantly important. “It is a fact that young people of today will shape the world for decades to come. To change the world for the better is to invest in the growth and strength of our youth”

The Nutrition Month Kapihan is a regular event of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) every month of July and is being aired live on radio (DZWT AM 540Gghz) and replayed on skycable TV.