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- Category: Region 9
Right after summer and by the month of June, the wet or rainy season starts to take over. A good rainstorm nourishes the plants, replenishes water supply and gives you a good setting to curl up with your favorite book. However, just like anything else, too much rain could lead to negative effects for wildlife, the environment and even the economy, which also includes the peak of dengue infection. This is why every month of June is observed as the National Dengue Awareness Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 124 to highlight on the prevention and control of dengue in the country.
Dengue fever, also known as break bone fever is a mosquito-borne infection that can lead to a severe flu-like illness caused by certain species of mosquitoes such as the Aedes aegypti. This type of mosquito commonly increase in breeding during the rainy season and in unclean environments and usually bites between 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset. It is one of the fastest-spreading mosquito-borne diseases with 185,008 five-year average cases in the Philippines based on the 2012-2016 data of the Department of Health (DOH). According to health officials, the most common symptoms that can be seen in a person with dengue are high fever, weakness or intense fatigue, headache, body pain and red spots on the skin.
Read more: Protect your home against Dengue this rainy season!
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- Category: Region 9
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mass gatherings are prohibited and social distancing is being observed in the country. Thus, various agencies and organizations nowadays are taking advantage on the use of modern technology and internet to continue conducting their postponed activities. One of these is the successful conduct of the 1st Semester Early Childhood Care Development – First 1,000 Days (ECCD-F1K) program Virtual Meeting through Zoom application that was spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council Regional Office 9 on May 21, 2020. The meeting was attended by 11 participants who were the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs), District/Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/MNPCs), Municipal Nutrition Office Encoders of the Local Government Units of Aurora, Mahayag, Kumalarang and Zamboanga del Sur province and a DOH-HRH Nutritionist-Dietitian deployed in the Municipality of Kumalarang.
The meeting focused on discussing with the participants the updates and status of the ECCD-F1K program in their respective areas, the LGU’s health and nutrition good practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and to strengthen the implementation of Executive Order 51 or the Milk Code of the Philippines among other matters relevant to the ECCD F1K Program.
First presenter during the meeting was LGU-Aurora’s MNPC, Ms. Mecelyn P. Ruiles. MNPC Ruiles enumerated their LGU’s accomplishments such as the inclusion of vegetables in the distribution of relief goods, successful conduct of the Search for Ulirang Ina ng Aurora (SUFIA) launching and awarding ceremonies, procurement of vegetable seeds that are waiting for its delivery, and the LGU’s plan to conduct a garden contest for the program beneficiaries. This was followed by the MNAO of Mahayag, Ms. Charisse Norina Ma. A. Ranile in which she detailed their LGU’s updates and accomplishments during the pandemic. This includes the distribution of seeds, dispersal of rice grains to the farmers, and the assistance of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the distribution of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), PUM monitoring, manning the checkpoints and provision of assistance to the conduct of EPI vaccination with the Rural Health Unit. MNAO Ranile also mentioned that their LGU’s launching on the Search for the Ulirang F1K na Ina was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer of Zamboanga del Sur, Ms. Grace F. Sumogue also discussed the nutrition updates in the province. Accordingly, Zamboanga del Sur already had an approved plans and activities that are reprogrammed until December. She also cited that the LGU successfully conducted a TAME orientation before the implementation of ECQ. Another accomplishment of the province also was its initiative on translating the Nutrition Cluster Advisories in Cebuano dialect for better understanding of the BNSs and other readers. Lastly and unfortunately, the LGU of Kumalarang participants were disconnected due to the unstable internet connection but PNC Elton N. Pelegrino presented on their behalf. PNC Pelegrino presented the remaining balance for ECCD-F1K fund of the LGU and the programs which were suspended because of COVID-19.
Before the meeting ended, NNC IX Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong gave her comments and suggestions to the LGUs such as allocating enough time in searching and monitoring the participants of the Search for Ulirang F1K na Ina and recommended some alternatives to the programs and activities that were suspended due to COVID-19. She also reiterated the E.O 51 to the participants and reminded them to be vigilant and on the lookout for possible violations of the Milk Code in their community.
The NNC RO 9 commends the efforts of the ECCD-F1K areas even during this time of pandemic. As the ECCD-F1K program concludes this year, NNC 9 wishes the LGUs to continue to integrate the program in their nutrition action plan and implement its component activities using their own resources such as delivery of nutrition, health, early learning and other social services to the pregnant and lactating women, and children below 2 years old.
NO I Angelica O. Pajulas
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- Category: Region 9
Staying at home during the COVID-19 crisis can lead to unhealthy eating habits such as binge eating or overeating to seek relief from the stress, anxiety and boredom brought by the current pandemic. This boredom or stress-related eating habit is a natural reaction since some people find comfort in food, but always be reminded that frequent and excessive eating could lead to obesity and other non-communicable diseases.
People naturally eat for various reasons, and emotional state is among them. There is nothing wrong if you find food as one of the things that you can turn to during this stressful times since it is normal to indulge yourself with food to cope up with your emotions. However, keep in mind that during this time of pandemic, a good nutrition is a fundamental factor for your health particularly in times when the immune system might need to fight back. Binge eating of unhealthy foods such as processed, salty, fatty, fried and sugar-rich foods will place your body at risks of obesity and non-communicable diseases that may weaken your immune system.
Read more: Easy Ways to Avoid Overeating while on Quarantine
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- Category: Region 9
While the COVID-19 pandemic is still on the surface and the Philippines is forced to implement community quarantine as part of the “new normal” to control its spread, people are facing for a possible food shortage, panic-buying and food hoarding. However, since people are advised to stay at home and observe social distancing protocols, this period can also be the right opportunity to engage in gardening and produce their own food in the convenience of their home backyard.
Foods that are great to plant at home are root crops. Aside from rice, root crops are also great sources of carbohydrates for energy to keep you going. They are also known for their concentrations of Vitamin C, B and A as well as their level of health-promoting antioxidants which helps the body in boosting the immune system to fight infections and diseases. They are also safe alternatives for people with hypertension and diabetes because of their high fiber content and low glycemic index.
Rootcrops are also ideal for your home gardening because they take up little space of your backyard and can be harvested over a long period of time. With proper home storage facilities, they can be kept fresh for a longer consumption. In the Philippines, there are four affordable and easy to grow root crops that you could try planting at your home. These are cassava (kamoteng kahoy), sweet potato (kamote), purple yam (ube) and taro (gabi). The keys in growing root crops are the following: make a good seedbed, give enough space to grow, keep the crops clear of weeds, make sure they have enough water and most importantly have patience when planting.
Root crops are buried treasures that can be difficult to get started with, but rewarding when harvested. With the on-going crisis of COVID-19, people need to be clever in order to survive this pandemic. Through backyard gardening, you can save more time and money, ensure access to healthier and fresher source of food and above all, food security for your family.
NO I Angelica O. Pajulas
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- Category: Region 9
Taking advantage of today’s modern technology, the Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) of Zamboanga Peninsula convene online for its 1st semester meeting presided by National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region IX’s Nutrition Program Coordinator Nimfa D. Ekong. With the help of internet, gadgets such as laptop and mobile phones, and the Zoom application, 19 participants were able to connect and meet online on 13 May 2020. The agenda of the meeting includes discussing the Nutrition Advisory Nos. 01 and 02, sharing the good practices and initiatives of LGUs response amid COVID-19, discuss the 2020 Nutrition Month 2020 theme and plans, sharing the local ordinances of different LGUs, and other important matters. For other matters, issues and concerns with regards to BNS financial assistance were also discussed.
Just like other meetings NO I Zhalimar A. Jakaria-Patulada acknowledged the participants present to be able to know who participated in the online meeting. NPC Ekong welcomed all those who joined the meeting and presented the agenda tabled for discussion. Then immediately NPC Ekong discussed to the participants NNC’s Nutrition Advisory Nos. 01 and 02.
Read more: Nutrition Action Officers convene online for its 1st semester meeting
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- Category: Region 9
Every year, millions of lives have been taken due to road traffic accidents. In the Philippines alone, the World Health Organization says that about 12,000 Filipinos die on the road yearly. These deaths are very alarming thus it needs heightened interventions and cooperation from the citizens. To continue to raise awareness on the road safety, the month of May is declared as Road Safety Month by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A to promote road safety and increase consciousness on the health impact and economic costs involved.
People have variety of reasons to go out of their homes daily, whether they leave for work, in school or buy their necessities at the mall, as well as to go on road trips with friends or even take a vacation to unwind. Whichever of these may be your reason, the most important thing you need to ensure is to be able to reach your destination safely. One best possible way to avoid road traffic accidents is to slow down whenever you are driving. Slowing down and observing speed limits appropriate for the roads are vital to make the roads safer for everyone- for children walking to school, for the elderly crossing the road, for workers driving to places of work and for every road users.
