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- Category: Region 10
3 November 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) X conducted another batch of Advocacy Meeting in Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program (TK DSP) under Phase III and IV municipalities, specifically in Kauswagan and Balo-i, Lanao del Norte.
Conducted last 28 October, Provincial Nutrition Focal Point Lizelle L. Bete went to visit Mayor Rommel C. Arnado of Kauswagan and Mayor Hanifa A. Ali of Balo-i to present the program overview, objectives, components, priority groups, social preparation requirements, roles of local government units (LGUs) and updates of TK DSP in Lanao del Norte.
During the visit in Balo-i, Municipal Information Officer Mohaimen A. Rasol together with the Nurses under the Nurse Deployment Project (NDP) Nasraima A. Saga, Macsapala D. Azis, Saima S. Salic and Nutritionist-Dietitian II under the Nutritionist-Dietitians Deployment Project (NDDP) Jona S. Dominguez, were present. Mr. Rasol raised his questions regarding the dry commodities from Department of Science and Technology- Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) and suggested that the focal person from NNC X as well as the nutrition staff in their municipality shall have a taste of the commodities before the start of the feeding activity to identify whether the taste would be acceptable to the beneficiaries.
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- Category: Region 10
5 November 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – “Older adults are also at risk for malnutrition. Those at risk before the pandemic are even more vulnerable due to unhealthy eating habits and food insecurity. As part of the Filipino Elderly Week celebration and our support and concern to the elderlies, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) X is holding this webinar. It is to highlight the importance of nutrition among elderlies, especially during this pandemic”, Nutrition Program Coordinator (NPC) Gladys Mae S. Fernandez said.
The elderly is one of the affected populations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It does not only affect their physical health, but their mental health as well. To support their physical, mental and social needs, the NNC X in coordination with Cagayan de Oro City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) organized the webinar entitled “Nutrisyon ni Lolo’t Lola, Tutukan ngayong Pandemya!”
The webinar was held last 26 October 2021 via Zoom. It was attended by 190 participants composed of senior citizens, local nutrition workers, Regional Nutrition Committee members and representatives from the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs region-wide attended the webinar.
Read more: NNC10 emphasizes nutrition for elderly through webinar
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- Category: Region 10
28 October 2021, Cagayan de Oro City - By virtue of Proclamation No. 160 signed by former President Joseph Estrada on 16 August 1999 the Food Safety Awareness Week is being celebrated annually every last week of October with the theme of “Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow”.
Food safety is one of the primary concerns of the Department of Health to reduce the cases of foodborne illness and food poisoning which is one of the many public health problems in the Philippines. The week-long campaign aims to educate people and increase awareness of the importance of good hygiene and sanitary practices in food handling and food preparation to ensure clean and safe food.
According to the World Health Organization, food safety is everyone’s business. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaborative efforts by the government, food producers and consumers. Food safety, benefits individuals of all ages especially the vulnerable group which are the children, pregnant women and elderly.
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- Category: Region 10
Executive Order (EO) 382 declared the annual celebration of the National Food Fortification Day, every 7th of November. This celebration is observed to highlight and recognize the importance of food fortification in addressing micronutrient deficiencies.
As defined by the Codex Alimentarius, food fortification is the addition of one or more essential nutrients to food, whether it is normally contained in the food, for the purpose of preventing or correcting a demonstrated deficiency of one or more nutrients in the population or specific population groups. Food fortification is also identified as a long-term solution and most cost-effective strategy in addressing micronutrient deficiency.
The first legal basis for food fortification in the Philippines was Republic Act 8172 known as “An Act of Salt Iodization Nationwide”; signed into law on 20 December 1995. In order to strengthen the Food Fortification Program in the country, RA 8976 entitled, “An Act Establishing the Philippine Food Fortification Program and for other purposes” was passed and signed into law on 7 November 2000. RA 8976 mandates the fortification of flour, oil and sugar with vitamin A, and flour and rice with iron and promoting voluntary fortification through the Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program.
Read more: Food fortification: Enriching foods, enhancing lives
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- Category: Region 10
29 October 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The nutrition journey of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon was highlighted during the Newly Elected Officials (NEO)-Webinar Executive Session (WES) hosted by the Local Government Academy and National Nutrition Council. This was held 28 October 2021 via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Assistant Secretary of Health and NNC’s Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang served as the Resource Person on the topic “Creating an Enabling Environment for Nutrition Governance”. ASec. Dayanghirang gave the imperative on why local government units (LGUs) should invest in nutrition, including strategies to address the malnutrition problem. She also discussed about NNC’s proposal in strengthening the nutrition program through establishment of local nutrition offices.
Among the highlights of her presentation is Manolo Fortich’s success story on nutrition governance. Mayor and Municipal Nutrition Committee Chairperson Clive D. Quiño showcased their LGU’s key strategies. Mayor Quiño shared the history of how the foundations for the nutrition programs in the LGU were built, including the glaring nutrition program budget increase of 193% for 2019 to 2020, and 161% in 2020-2021.
Read more: Manolo Fortich takes center stage during LGA nutrition webinar
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- Category: Region 10
27 October 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council Region X facilitated a Special Meeting of the National Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation (NaBNS Fed.), Incorporated – Northern Mindanao Chapter on 20 October 2021. The meeting was a combination of online via Zoom, and face-to-face at The VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. A total of 10 officers attended during the meeting presided by Chapter President BNS Flordeliza S. Gonzales of Iligan City.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez expressed her appreciation to all the officers who attended the meeting.
With the success of the National Virtual Dialogue conducted last 4 October 2021, a regionwide conference with the same concept will be conducted to address the familiar clamor among BNSs in the past conferences. Several BNSs expressed that barangay leaders and members of the Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNCs) need better appreciation on the nutrition programs, and that the appreciation should translate to actual support and investments in nutrition.
Read more: Preparation continues for regionwide virtual nutrition conference for barangays
