The Lal-lo Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) led by Hon. Mayor Florante Pascual, MNC chair, and its vice-chair, Hon. Vice Mayor Maria Olivia Pascual successfully held their 3rd NutriHealth Fest last July 19-20, 2022 at the Lal-lo Multi-Purpose Center. The activity is part of the 48th Nutrition Month Celebration of the municipality. The activity was attended by guests and visitors including: Department of Health, Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development, National Nutrition Council, Provincial Health Office, Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Zonta Club of Tuguegarao, Department of Education, Office of the Vice Mayor, Office of the Sangguniang Bayan, Barangay Officials, Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Municipal Health, Rural Improvement Club, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Child Development Workers, Lal-lo National High School, and Mr. Rommel Relos, the architect of the Lal-lo Multi-Purpose Center.
A zumba kicked off the event which perked up the mood of the participants. Hon. Vice Mayor Maria Olivia B. Pascual, in her capacity as the Vice Chair of the Municipal Nutrition Committee delivered the Welcome Message. She mentioned that the utmost concern of the committee is to help the less fortunate being deprived of the proper nutrition. She also expressed the commitment of the MNC in providing quality health and nutrition services, as evidenced by their Nutrition Honor Award in 2014, even during and after the pandemic.
Dr. Maria Concepcion B. Abbang, Municipal Health Officer and Municipal Nutrition Action Officer presented the overview of the Nutri Health Fest. She shared that after the 2-year absence of the event due to the pandemic, they were very happy in pursuing the 3rd NutriHealth Fest this year to showcase the talent, commitment, efforts and services for health and nutrition of Lal-loqueños.
Dr. Evelyn P. Guzman, Past President of the Zonta Club of Tuguegarao had a talk on the contribution of the Zonta Club in promoting good nutrition and improving the lives of women and girls. She also expressed the commitment of their institution as part of the Regional Nutrition Committee.
Dr. Leticia Cabrera, Chief, Local Health System Development Division, Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development, DOH RO2, congratulated the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo thru the Municipal Nutrition Committee for a job well done in its advocacy of promoting good nutrition.
Meanwhile, 55 recipients of LUSOG Program (Lal-loqueños United for Sustained Overall Growth) were each given a nutripack with supplementary food and other nutritional items. The LUSOG Program is an initiative of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo thru the Municipal Nutrition Committee to improve the nutritional status of malnourished children in Lal-lo.
The ceremonial wearing of nutrivest by the members of the Municipal Nutrition Committee and Barangay Nutrition Scholars was also carried out. Afterwhich, NPC Ma. Gisela Lonzaga of the National Nutrition Council R2 led the Pledge of Commitment to advocate good and proper nutrition in the community.
Several contests were also conducted simultaneously. The Nutri Advocacy Video Contest was also launched during the Nutri Fest. The contest showcased the 9 Barangay Health Station Clusters with their nutrition advocacies encapsulated in a video depicting this year's theme of the nutrition month.
Moreover, in her capacity as the Vice Chairperson of the Municipal Nutrition Committee, Vice Mayor Maria Olivia B. Pascual, declared the opening of the 15 Nutri Booths showcasing different health and nutrition advocacies: Tribo Macho Booth, Pagusapan naTEEN Booth - Adolescent Reproductive Health, Mudrabels Booth - Safe Motherhood, HAHA (Healthy Ako, Happy Ako) Booth - Healthy Lifestyle, Iskeri Booth - Smoking Cessation Program, STI/HIV/Covid 19 Booth, Mental Health Booth, BNS Booth, BHW Booth, MSWD Booth, Municipal Agriculture Booth, Department of Education Booth, Zonta Club of Tuguegarao Booth, and RIC Booth. A search for Best Cheers and Yells and Best Booth was also part of the program.
The activity ended by visiting several community gardens and the Barangay Nutrition Committee offices in the municipality. Winners of the contests will be announced on the 2022 Nutrition Month Culminating Activity of Lal-lo to be held in August. – Edzell Arcinue
