NNC9 joins the 48th Nutrition Month Provincial Culminating Program of Zamboanga del Norte (ZaNorte) headed by the new Provincial Governor Hon. Rosalina "Nene" Jalosjos last July 29, 2022, at the ZDN Provincial Cultural Center, Dipolog City. The activity was attended by NNC9 RNPC Ms. Nimfa Ekong as the Keynote Speaker together with DMO II Ms. Rowence Zorilla. Also present were Provincial Administrator Atty. Dug Christopher Mah, SP Committee on Health and Nutrition Chair Hon. Jasmin Pinsoy-Lagutin, SP Committee on Social Welfare and Community Development Chair Hon. Michael M. Documento, Jr., ZNNHS School Principal IV Dr. Joselito Tizon, VPAA Andres Bonifacio College Mr. Julius Elopre, Saint Vincent's College-SAO staff Mr. Alvin Agura and Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Jose G. Mante, and the Local Nutrition Committee members and the Local Nutrition Workers from the LGUs of the province.
The activity highlights a motorcade, "Gulayan ni Nanay" by Provincial Agriculture's Office, "Arroz Caldo ni Nanay" by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, distribution of IEC materials by the National Nutrition Council IX, presentation of the R9 Regional and LGU Nutrition Month Activities, the ZDN Provincial Nutrition Awarding Ceremony for the 2021 Outstanding Local Government Units and Local Nutrition Focal Points, and presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to all nutrition partners and stakeholders for their invaluable support and assistance in the conduct of the 48th Nutrition Month activities.
This 48th Nutrition Month Celebration aims to drive six key messages for our call to action among all our stakeholders. The keywords in the theme are new normal, nutrisyon and sama-sama. The first three messages pertain to the importance of nutrition to improve an individual’s resistance to disease and at the same time with improved nutrition, the recovery of a family, community, and the nation will be supported. The next set of messages relate to the sama-samang gawan ng solusyon. It calls for solidarity, multi-sectoral engagements, and improved governance to attain nutritional outcomes.
In her welcome address, the SP Committee on Health and Nutrition Chairperson Hon. Lagutin stated the importance of nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals) to good nutrition. “Our overall wellbeing depends on eating nutritious foods that we take in every day. There is lots of information out there that we can take in to have good nutrition. If we speak about nutrition, we speak about the food or something to eat, but because of the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, in the new normal, nutrition is not only pertaining to food but also to the knowledge that we input into our minds. The knowledge that we take in from the internet”
On behalf of the Provincial Governor Hon. Rosalina Jalosjos, Provincial Administrator Atty. Dug Christopher Mah delivered the inspirational message. “We should buy local food products instead of buying from other cities. In coordination with our Provincial Agriculture Office, we should also develop our local resources. We need to manage our food resources to address food insecurity. Food security is one of the priorities of the Province”, he said to give emphasis on the need to support the local food products in the fight against malnutrition. He also added that our farmers should be encouraged and supported by the government and that the Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP) must continue to lessen the prevalence of malnutrition in the province.
NNC9 RNPC Ekong emphasized in her Nutrition Message the need for a strengthened nutrition interventions and solidarity towards nutrition improvement as the country shifts towards living with the COVID-19 virus. She ended her speech with this words of encouragement, “We hope that with the new administration, more enabling programs and policies will sprout out to impact more in the nutrition improvements in the city. Likewise, may we continue to work together and continually improve nutrition so we can have a better new normal. No one should be left behind. “Wastong Nutrisyon para sa Lahat”.
During the event, the performers from the Glorieta de Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte National High School, Saint Vincent’s College, and Andres Bonifacio College entertained the participants with their talents on singing and dancing. The event concluded with the presentation of awards to the Outstanding Local Government Units and Local Nutrition Focal Points, and the presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to all nutrition partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support and assistance in the conduct of the 48th Nutrition Month activities. This celebration calls for everyone on working hand in hand to address malnutrition in the new normal!
-DMO II Rowence F. Zorilla, RND
