Isabela City--The National Nutrition Council IX (NNC9) together with the City Government of Isabela successfully launched the first Nutrition School-on-the Air (NSOA) in the city last 14 June 2022. This is with the airing of the 10 Kumainments Session 1 entitled “Kumain ng Iba’t Ibang Pagkain'' or Eat Variety of Food over Radyo Komunidad DXNO 97.5 and soon will be aired on their official Facebook page. This radio program was initially planned to be aired from June 14 to July 29, every Tuesday and Thursday of the week from 10:00 am and 11:00 am.

Prior to the airing of the NSOA, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Nimfa D. Ekong with NO II Joanna Marie Baltazar visited Isabela City to give NSOA orientation to their anchors last 25 May 2022. Anchors were the City Nutritionist-Dietitian Ms. Nujaima S. Abdurahman and Radyo Announcer Sir Jayson. The program is supported by their Mayor Hon. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman through their City Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Jesielyn Puno. Also, NNC9 discussed the preparations needed prior to the first airing such as the announcement of the program 3 weeks from the first airing.

The program utilizes the 10 Kumainment module that contain 12 sessions. This is a radio program of the NNC that highlights the 10 Kumainments which is the popularized version of the revised Nutritional Guidelines for the Filipinos (NGF). The 10 Kumainments contain short and simple messages on health and nutrition for easier recall and understanding.

Some of the enrollees that encountered problems of poor signals or having no electricity were gathered or convened in one area together with other enrollees to be able to listen and submit their answers on the set cut-off day where they are facilitated by the BNS in-charge.

Anchors ensured viewers participation and engagement through their list of winners per episode which will be posted on their official Facebook page in which they are giving away 50 pesos load to the top 10 enrollees every week. Also, the top 12 enrollees who completed the sessions will be given away a pack of groceries, and top 10 graduates will be receiving cellphones aside from giving all graduates with NSOA t-shirts and certificate of completion.

NO II Joanna Marie E. Baltazar, RND