TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN-----Not even Covid19 can stop the National Nutrition Council from celebrating this year’s Nutrition Month. With protocols intact, the agency in Cagayan Valley is full of exciting activities and events which kicked off with a press conference, July 1 and streamed at NNC Region 2 Facebook Page.
For supporters of the agency and, in particular, those who have been part of the annual celebration, various activities will be missed. This is because these previous events are participants-intensive and the protocol on social distancing should be followed to the letter amid the pandemic.
Absent this year would include the decade-long Nutri-Kalesa Painting Contest and the Batang Radyo Sa Nutrisyon convention. But as far as the agency and its Regional Technical Assistants on Nutrition (Technical Working Group of the Regional Nutrition Committee) are concern, the show must go with alternative events to highlight the First 1000 Days of Life.
“There will be online activities to be participated by families, mothers and caregivers of children with 0-23 months old children, students, Barangay Nutrition Scholars and the children themselves. Nutrition campaign on this year’s Nutrition Month Theme: “Batang Pinoy, Sana Tall...Iwas Stunting, Sama All! Iwas All Din sa Covid 19” will also be done through Social Media Platforms of NNC, Region 2 and the member agencies of the National Nutrition Committee and virtual activities” Meggie Lonzaga, Nutrition Coordinator for Region 2 said.
For one, the general populace is encourage to watch out for the cooking demonstration on complementary food preparation. This is to increase awareness on the importance of complementary feeding and proper nutrition on the prevention of stunting.
“We encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies from 0 months to 6 months and to appropriately introduce complementary food for their children, six months up to two years and above with continued breastfeeding”, Lonzaga added.
This year, the story-writing abilities of these mothers will be put to fore as a contest to encourage them to share their Baby’s Journey has been scheduled on July 17. The event is expected to increase awareness on the importance of proper health and nutrition care and services in the first 1000 Days of Life to prevent stunting.
Local artists and other stakeholders will also have their day as NNC will conduct a back-to-back events on the usual poster-making contest to be posted on the agency’s Facebook page and an Online Jingle-Making competition. The events utilize art as a medium to increase awareness on stunting and the First 1000 Days among local government units, local health and nutrition workers, women of reproductive age, mother, families, caregivers and the communities as well.
“Thru the on-line jingle-making contest, we want to promote the theme of the celebration, and again, stunting,” she said.
The search for the Best Complementary Food for 12-24 months-old children is likewise on, and to be participated by pregnant and lactating mothers, caregivers of 12-24 months old children and other nutrition stakeholders.
By July 27, NNC Region 2 Facebook page will show a documentary series entitled “Unang Isang Libong Araw ng Mga Sanggol sa Rehiyon Dos.”
However, here’s the rub. One of the most anticipated events would be the exciting Search for Batang Tangkad Sagad sa Rehiyon Dos” where nine entries from the provinces and cities will compete for the tallest children in the region.
The event will the children through appropriate health nutrition and other services which can inspire others. Cagayan Valley region has always been a top performer on children’ nutrition and all its provinces, cities and some municipalities have been awarded the highest nutrition awards available in this country.
Lonzaga clarified that majority if not all of these activities and events are streamed on social media to safeguard stakeholders.
This year’s theme is “ BatangPinoy, SANA TALL.. Iwas Stunting SAMA ALL, Iwas All din sa Covid 19.”###BDY
