Recognizing the important role the teachers play in influencing the nutrition practices of school children, the National Nutrition Council-NCR convened more than 700 teachers from all the public elementary and secondary schools in Metro Manila in an Advocacy Forum on the School-based Promotion of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF). The forum was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Century Park Hotel in Malate, Manila.

Also present at the forum were members of the press, regional media group called NCR Nutrition Communication Resource Group (NCR2) headed by Mr. Marvin Capco and Regional Management Group (RMG). CHD-NCR Assistant Regional Director Erlinda Domingo gave a message on behalf of Regional Nutrition Committee Chair and CHD-NCR Regional Director Eduardo Janairo.

Each of the ten (10) NGF was presented through a video clip from “Busog Lusog” and brief explanation of Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo. “The NGF are primary recommendations to promote good health through proper nutrition. They are simple statements that give advice on eating right and living healthy. The promotion of these guidelines is an important strategy to improve the dietary and related health practices of Filipinos”, said RNPC Federizo.

NPC Mila Federizo also explained the need for spreading the NGF in Metro Manila, “According to the latest national nutrition survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, many Filipinos do not consume enough foods that will help them meet their nutritional requirements. Metro Manila faces a double burden of malnutrition as there are underweight children as well as those who are overweight or obese. This only shows that good eating habits and nutrition practices of children should be instilled among them early on. The teachers can help a lot in teaching the students correct nutrition practices by promoting the NGF and including them in their lessons and classroom activities”.

Mrs. Aida Rondilla, District Nutrition Supervisor of Manila Schools Division Office led the teachers in pledging their commitment to support, promote and practice the NGF. Ms. Tess Abando of NCR2 in her closing remarks thanked the teachers and challenged them to fulfil their commitment in spreading the NGF in their schools and families.

Helping the NNC-NCR promote the NGF in Metro Manila is Ms. Daisy G. Reyes, a beauty queen, TV personality, mother, an advocate of health and wellness and a Municipal Councilor of Pateros who was chosen by the NNC-NCR to be its Ambassadress of Good Nutrition in Metro Manila. “Teachers play a great role in shaping the minds and behavior of students. They can positively influence and encourage them as well as their parents to practice good nutrition. We are hopeful that with the teachers as our partners in promoting the NGF, we can do much in our fight against hunger and malnutrition here in Metro Manila”, Councilor Reyes emphasized. “As the Ambassadress of Good Nutrition in NCR, I call on all teachers, health and nutrition workers, students, parents - everyone, let us support, promote, and practice the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos and work together to fight hunger and malnutrition”, Councilor Daisy Reyes added.