CABARROGUIS, Quirino – Vice Governor May Calaunan, provincial nutrition action officer (PNAO) on Budget and Legislation, has urged all employees of the provincial capitol and national government offices to give due attention to proper nutrition.

Speaking at the launching of the 2018 Nutrition Month at the provincial gymnasium recently, Calaunan told the employees to be models of nutrition by ensuring that their families get the correct amount of nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that they need to maintain good health.

The lady vice governor has underscored the importance of vegetable gardens in every home as the main source of healthy and safe foods for the family.

Citing results of the previous Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) survey that named Quirino as one of the provinces in the Philippines with the lowest recorded average height, Calaunan said this is partly due to the lack of vegetable gardens in the homes as sources of healthy and nutritious food.

Calaunan encouraged the employees to establish their own vegetable gardens as she assured that each of them will receive vegetable seedlings from the Office of the Provincial Agriculture as initial plants to their gardens.

Meanwhile, Luningning Pacudan Rhodes, provincial nutrition officer said, the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) will hold a contest for the best vegetable gardens of employees and its members as part of the monthlong celebration with the theme: “Ugaliing Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin.”

This year, the PNC and the Municipal Nutrition Committees lined up activities include culminating activities in schools and local government units, Search for the Best Gulayan sa Bakuran and Search for the Best Gulayan sa Paaralan.

The PNC will also conduct orientations for the “1st 1000 Days Ni Baby” program and training on vegetable gardening for the members of Batang Radyo sa Nutrisyon. (MDCT/TCB/ Jose Lorenzo Basco, UP intern/PIA 2-Quirino)