It was a digital milestone for the Cavite Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) and members when it marked its 46th Nutrition Month celebration amid the ongoing pandemic. The jam-packed celebration commenced with a virtual launching of the PNC facebook page as early as July 1 and was highlighted by exciting activities consisting of : the “Poster Making Contest” for elementary and high school students; the “Jingle Making Contest” for the BNS s in 16 municipalities of Cavite; the “3-Day Webinar Series” for the BNSs on topics related to the 2020 Nutrition month theme; and; the posting of “Nutrition Month Promotional Materials”
The event’s theme, “Batang Pinoy… Sana Tall, Iwas Stunting… Sama All! Iwas All Din sa Covid-19,” pins hopes on sustaining strong awareness on good nutrition among Filipinos. In particular, the “Webinar Series” provided the PNCs stakeholders and its 290 BNSs valuable updates and vital knowledge to mitigate stunting problems in this time of pandemic. The topics include : Nutrition Month Talking Points (discussed by NO III Lourdes Bulante-Orongan of NNC Calabarzon); Significance of First 1000 Days, Nutrition Assessment; and Management of Acute Malnutrition.
During the celebration, Ms. Angeles “Helen” Peñalba, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), ardently emphasized in her message that : "Ang problemang pangnutrisyon ay hindi lamang tungkol sa mga batang may kakulangan sa timbang kundi pati ang mga batang bansot o kung tawagin ay STUNTED. Ang pagiging bansot o stunted ay kailangang mabigyan ng konkretong solusyon ng ating Pamahalaan, ng ating Pamilya at ng Komunidad upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng tuloy na tuloy na problemang pangkaisipan".
With the culminating activity in July 30, Ms. Carina Santiago, the NPC of NNC Calabarzon congratulated the Cavite PNC for their commendable efforts in disseminating the 2020 NM campaign objectives which invigorated the participation of school children, adults and the nutrition workers. Further, Ms. Santiago reiterated that stunting can be addressed by focusing on the first 1000 days of a child and added that efforts from various stakeholders at the local level are crucial in reducing the stunting prevalence of the province and eventually in the region. She also pointed out that stunting is not hereditary and that, instead, a child should be given optimum care to achieve his/her fullest potential.
The winners of various contests were announced and given corresponding prizes. The activities were made possible through the cooperation of the Cavite PNC-Technical Working Group (TWG), the Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs), the Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholar (FBNS) and the CavMoms (an attachment parenting support group in the province). In addition, the written directive from the local DILG (for all the cities, municipalities and barangays) eased the process for the implementation of activities and dissemination of this years’ campaign objectives.
By: Lourdes Bulante-Orongan
