11 April 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – Some local government units in Northern Mindanao went beyond the usual package in providing food packs to their constituents in the middle of the implementation of community quarantine. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, movements are limited and work in various settings are suspended, therefore affecting food accessibility.
Food packs usually consist of rice, instant noodles and canned goods. However, these LGUs continued to advocate for proper nutrition in the midst of the current setting through the addition of vegetables and fruits on top of the typical food packs. This strategy enables LGUs to help their residents eat their fill while taking into consideration the nutritional value of their meals.
Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system to fight against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Read our article here on how to strengthen the immune system through foods.
As of this writing, below are LGUs that provided healthy food packs to their constituents:
Cagayan de Oro City
The City Nutrition Office headed by CNAO Nenita F. Rabe packaged family food packs for households with Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children in Cagayan de Oro City. A total of 15 families with SAM were provided with food packs which contain, kalabasa, sayote, carrots, eggs, multivitamins and fortified canned goods. The food packs were distributed by Barangay Nutrition Scholars and City Nutrition Program Coordinators.
Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte
Registered motor and sikad (padyak) drivers received kalabasa, okra, talong and half sack of rice from the the Municipality of Kapatagan last 27 March 2020.
Brgy. Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte
Under the instructions of Punong Barangay Jeoffy M. Fung and the efforts of barangay officials and workers, all households in Brgy. Maranding were provided with vegetables (kalabasa, eggplant, okra, and string beans) as part of the relief distribution from the Barangay.
Tubod, Lanao del Norte
The LGU initiated the distribution 1 kg each of eggplant, banana and camote; 5 kg of rice and meat or fish to households in all 24 barangays. Christian households will receive meat while Muslim households will receive fish from the Municipal Government. Priority is given to households with monthly income below P15,000.00
Misamis Occidental Province
Per the Directive of Governor Philip T. Tan, Chairperson of the Provincial Nutrition Committee, food packs from the Provincial Government contain freshly harvested vegetables, eggs and rice with Lutong Bahay Recipes and Pinggang Pinoy Booklets. The food packs were distributed to all households of Brgy. Sta Cruz, Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.
Alubijid, Misamis Oriental
The LGU with the Municipal Nutrition Office, headed by MNAO Ellen Sabellita initiated the production of iodized salt with the salt-producers in Brgy. Baybay for inclusion in the relief goods (rice, monggo, canned goods) to be distributed to vulnerable groups.
Opol, Misamis Oriental
The Municipal Nutrition Office headed by MNAO Elensita V. Piit together with the assigned DOH NDDP prepared and distributed Go-Grow-Glow Food packs for families with malnourished children. Packs contain rice, eggs, sayote, carrots, potatoes, kalabasa and canned goods.
The LGUs’ initiatives in providing healthy food packs to their constituents is compliant to Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 1, s. 2020. In its fourth message, it is emphasized that “family food packs should contain age- and culturally- appropriate, clean and nutritious food items. A food pack may contain rice, coffee and canned food items, preferably those which have been adequately fortified with vitamin A, iron or iodine. LGUs are also encouraged to include fresh dark green and dark yellow vegetables and fruits in the food packs as far as practicable.” The advisory also states that the amount of food given may be increased, subject availability of resources, to minimize frequency of physical contact between service providers and the general public. (PHA John Paul D. Navarro, RPh)
