The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte conducted their first Health and Nutrition School on the Air (HANSOA) program graduation ceremony last November 5, 2020 at Siayan Sports Complex. Spearheaded by Mayor Josecor S. Gepolongca with Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Ms. Judalyn C. Dompales and Municipal Health Officer (MHO) Dr. Raymund P. Nadela, a total of 169 individuals were given recognition as graduates during the occasion with proper observance of COVID-19 protocols.
HANSOA was first launched in the municipality on 6 July 2020 with initially 120 enrollees. It is the LGU’s own version of the original Nutrition School on the Air (NSOA) of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) that aims to promote and provide correct information on the importance of good nutrition and healthy lifestyle through radio broadcast. The HANSOA was aired with the discussion of the 10-Kumainments as well as sessions on health programs and services every week in the Nutriskwela Community Radio Station-Radyo Kahupayan which was established in May 2015.
During the graduation, part of the program is the showing of a pre-recorded video of congratulatory message from National Nutrition Council (NNC) Regional Office 9 Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong to express her appreciation to the LGU and the graduates for the successful conduct of the activity. In response, Mayor Gepolongca extended his sincerest gratitude to DOH and NNC for their continued support to the LGU ensuring the health and nutrition well-being of Siayanons especially the pregnant women. Together with their certificates of completion, the NNC RO 9 provided the graduates shawl as token of appreciation and transistor radios for the top five (5) graduands in recognition for their outstanding scores during quizzes.
The event was also witnessed by the Department of Health (DOH) representatives Dr. Angelita Clariz Roz and Dr. Jane Jaug. With all the knowledge and skills gained from the program, HANSOA graduates are expected to develop positive perception and behavioral change to health and nutrition and disseminate these learnings to their own family and to the community to better improve the overall health and nutrition situation of their municipality.
Congratulations and padayon sa kahimsog Siayanons!
Reference: Siayan Today https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2817161231901089&id=1776162146001008
