The Buntis Day 2022 of the Local Government Unit of Labason, Zamboanga del Norte (LGU-Labason) was successfully held last 8th of March 2022. The objective of the aforementioned activity was to accelerate the reduction in maternal deaths, infant and under-five years old mortality, halt HIV/AIDs, and strengthen Service Delivery Networks. This was also aimed at teaching mothers to improve the quality and quantity of food and nutrient intakes, especially during pregnancy. A total of one hundred eighteen (118) participants attended the activity. Among these were the pregnant women beneficiaries together with the presence of Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Health Office Nutritionist-Dietitian Ms. Rosita Gonzales, National Nutrition Council 9 Provincial Nutrition Focal Point Ms. Rowence F. Zorilla, and Department of Health NDDP Ms. Dianna Faye Polinar who served as Resource Speakers of the event. Likewise, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Claire T. Buctuan, MNAO Judie Faeldin, Nutrition Coordinator Jill Iguana, Representative of the Chief Executive Hon. Lynette Digamon, NDP's, RHMPP's and other local nutrition workers of the municipality of Labason were also present.
The Buntis Congress has been part of the breakthrough strategies of the Department of Health which aims to decrease maternal, neonatal, and infant morbidity and mortality in the municipality. The Buntis Congress intends to provide health education to pregnant women regarding primary areas of Maternal and Child Health Care, thus expanding their health consciousness and awareness. In a desire to deliver optimum and quality Health and Nutrition services to the community, the Local Government Unit of Labason through the Rural Health Unit in coordination with the Municipal Nutrition Office conceptualized its initiative to gather all pregnant women from all over the municipality to be dubbed as “Buntis Day” with the theme “Wastong Nutrisyon ni Mommy, Bunga ay Malusog at Matalinong Baby”. The activity is envisioned to increase awareness as well as to promote the health services package a pregnant woman must receive to improve birth outcomes. Among the activities conducted are Mother’s Class to be given by the invited resource speakers, launching of NNC’s Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program, provision of healthy snacks to pregnant women, and distribution of ultrasound results and Buntis Kits to pregnant women.
The activity has an allocated budget of twenty-five thousand pesos (Php 25, 000.00) under the Municipal Health Office Fund. The LGU of Labason, headed by the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Eddie T. Quimbo together with MHO Dr. Buctuan and MNAO Faeldin and other stakeholders are strongly committed to delivering quality health and nutrition services in their municipality. Doing this kind of event in line with the intentions of implementing the PPAN, truly, Panalo ang Bayan! Together, let us continue to make our commitment transformed into action. Be a Nutrition Mover! Be a nutrition Champion!
- PNFP Rowence F. Zorilla, RND
