3 August 2022, Cagayan de Oro City - The blended 2022 Nutrition Month Culmination was spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region X on 29 July 2022 at The VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City via Zoom and Facebook Live. This was participated by a total of 60 Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) member agencies, Local Government Unit (LGU) representatives, and media partners.
During the first part of the program, Dr. Ellenieta HMV N. Gamolo, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Health Center for Health Development – Northern Mindanao, gave the opening remarks. ARD Gamolo invited everyone to expand multi-sectoral engagement to scale up nutrition interventions and strengthen leadership and governance in nutrition across all levels to achieve nutritional outcomes.
This was followed by the program highlight, where Ms. Czarina Pia F. Ong-Geroy, RND, MPSM, President of Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Chapter served as the webinar resource speaker. In her talk, she discussed healthy eating habits in the new normal. She highlighted the importance of how immune cells in the gut are directly influenced by an individual’s diet and lifestyle.
The culmination continued with the Talakayan sa PIA, a press conference moderated by Ms. Jasper Marie O. Rucat of Philippine Information Agency 10. Talakayan highlights were as follows:
- Emma Pilar Imperio, Medical Officer III of DOH CHD-NM shared the programs of DOH that are supportive to scaling up nutrition in the new normal, as well as the health and nutrition services that will be devolved to the LGUs;
- Carlota S. Madriaga, Regional Technical Director for Operations of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 discussed ways to improve household food security; strategies of the DA on supporting the food and nutrition security, especially the nutritionally vulnerable groups, and programs and services that the public can avail;
- Myra G. Yee, Medical Officer IV of Department of Education 10 gave updates with regards to its nutrition-related programs such as the School-Based Feeding Program and Gulayan sa Paaralan. Dr. Yee also informed the participants on the necessary measures that the Department is doing in preparation for the resumption of face-to-face classes.
- President Czarina Pia F. Ong, RND, MPSM of NDAP Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Chapter shared the initiatives of the nutritionist-dietitians in promoting correct nutrition messages in the new normal situation; and
- Nutrition Program Coordinator (NPC) Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, RND, MDM of NNC X enumerated positive impacts brought by the pandemic, change in the nutritional status of children before and during the pandemic and actions that LGU can do to scale-up delivery of nutrition services in the new normal.
After which, awarding of NM contest winners and recognition of stakeholders/partners were announced:
- Build Back Better Nutrigraphic Making Contest winners:
- First placer and People's Choice Award - Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental
- Second placer - Opol, Misamis Oriental
- Third placer - Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
- BNS: BIDA sa Nutrisyon Photo Collage Making Contest:
- First placer - Ms. Loidaliza Viscayno of Cagayan de Oro City
- Second placer and People's Choice Award - Ms. Osterlean Lustre of Cagayan de Oro City
- Third placer - Mr. Alexeis Madlos of Gingoog City
In addition was the recognition to the RNC agencies who declared their statements of commitment and support to the campaign.
Lastly, NPC Fernandez gave the closing remarks as she emphasized the roles of stakeholders to improve nutrition for a better new normal. She likewise thanked the panelists, participants and the PIA 10 for a successful NM celebration. (PDO I Vazamija Therese A. Villasi/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./ 09631090198)
