San Fernando City, La Union - For the past three years, the Regional Organization of Nutrition Development Advocates-1 (RONDA-1), an organization of local media partners in Region 1 has been conducting an annual civic advocacy activity in a nutritionally depressed barangay in a municipality or city in the region with high prevalence of undernutrition based on the results of the Operation Timbang Plus.
In 2013, the activity was conducted in Barangay Bonuan, Gueset, Dagupan City. Activities such as lectures on good nutrition and Income Generating Projects (IGP) were presented and discussed including the actual malunggay planting at Gueset Elementary School.
In 2014, it was conducted in Barangay Salomague Sur, Bugallon, Pangasinan. Presentation on several IGPs such as mushroom production, pulvoron preparation and puto-making were introduced to one hundred six (106) mothers of underweight and severely underweight preschoolers in addition to the Promotion of 10 Kumainments and breastfeeding.
Last 2015, in partnership with LUPang Ilocos BNS Federation, Inc. and the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas-Pangasinan Chapter, RONDA-1 conducted the activity at Barangay Turac, San Carlos City. Fifty (50) mothers of underweight and severely underweight preschoolers with their children attended the activity. Lectures on Organic Farming and Backyard Gardening were presented by Ms. Josephine Serna, Science Research Specialist II, Department of Agriculture-Pangasinan Research and Experiment Center, Sual, Pangasinan of and Mr. Raul Marcelo of the City Agriculture Office-San Carlos City. NO I Gretchen J. Nisperos gave a lecture on the 10 Kumainments.
The preschool children were also given the chance to watch the Why Not episodes, a program of NNC in partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. promoting nutritional value of nutritious foods particularly fruits and vegetables, aired every Saturday from 8:00-8:30 in the morning.Likewise, to keep the children alive,Nutrition related parlor games were introduced to the children.
Hygiene kits from DOH-ROI, organic seeds from DA-ROI and nochebuena packages courtesy of RONDA-1 and LUPang Ilocos BNS Fed., Inc. officers were distributed to the mothers after the activity.
During the year-end meeting of the RONDA-1 last December 22, 2015 at the Marand Resort and Spa, Baccuit Sur, Bauang, La Union, the organization agreed to be more aggressive in sustaining and intensifying the activity for the coming years considering the good impact of the activity to the recipients and the overwhelming acceptance of the community on the activity.