18 June 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The Media Advocates for Nutrition in Governance in Region 10 (MANGO DIEZ) held its second meeting last 14 June 2021 organized by the National Nutrition Council Region X. A total of 10 media partners attended the meeting which was presided by the Ad hoc Committee Chairperson, Ms. Jasper Marie O. Rucat, Information Officer II of Philippine Information Agency 10.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez gave a short message as an opening for the meeting, wherein she said that NNC aims to scale up the promotion of nutrition and nutrition-related information to reach more people and influence them for positive behavior change and better healthy eating habits. Furthermore, she invited members to suggest and add inputs during the presentation of the meeting agenda.
The first agenda was presented by Nutrition Officer (NO) I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi which was on the Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) plan. She gave updates on the revised plan, which includes airing of radio materials for Nutrition Month, 10 Kumainments Nutrition School on-the-Air (NSOA), and One Nutrition, One Nation (OnOn). NNC X will expand its advocacy thru television in the form of infomercial for the Nutrition Month campaign this year. Moreover, the reproduction of collateral materials such as flyers and posters will help in the advocacy to the vulnerable groups and to the barangays. Social media efforts will also be sustained, with the addition of recognizing local government units with good practices in promoting nutrition through Facebook. Lastly, the Technical Exchange with other NNC media group is deferred until such time that travel restrictions are eased.
NO I Villasi continued to the second agenda, focusing the campaign for 2021 Nutrition Month where she discussed the rationale, campaign objectives, target audience, and the key messages. This year’s Nutrition Month focuses on the First 1000 Days with the theme: “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!” NNC X NM activities include Virtual Launching of 2021 NM with Press Conference through Talakayan sa PIA. Also, publication of NM article, integration of NM theme in Pantawid educational modules and in the celebration week for persons with disabilities, and photo contest “I-flex mo si Nanay!” are some of the expected activities of NNC X for July. MANGO DIEZ members suggested to create core group of judges to facilitate, review and finalize mechanics and criteria in the photo contest. Social media cards entitled Gabay ni Nanay sa paglaki ni Baby will be launched via Facebook to provide practical tips from mothers who successfully journeyed the First 1000 Days with their baby. First 1000 Days Matters and Q&A postings will be retained.
Contest on Short Filmmaking focusing on the First 1000 Days was discussed by NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle. She highlighted contest objectives, mechanics and criteria, and prizes. The contest, now on its fifth year, will mobilize students in junior and senior high school in the promotion of First 1000 Days. Short Filmmaking Contest teaser will be shared on NNC X Facebook page once mechanics are finalized.
Lastly, NO I Villasi raised for the proposed membership expansion of the MANGO DIEZ to invite other media partners in all provinces of Region X with the help of PIA 10 and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
The meeting was conducted to beef up strategies on nutrition promotion for positive behavior change and intensify advocacy of Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition or PPAN. (NO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi)
