“The media are one of the powerful driving forces of modern society. They are not just a source of information for the general public, but also a potential vehicle for educating the public, a vital service especially when it comes to health issues.” - Carole Simpson, 1999
The National Nutrition Council, as mandated by law as the country's highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition, scale up good nutrition through Mass Media. “We are very happy here in the region na meron tayong mga media partners na tumutulong sa atin sa baba sa pag-disseminate ng information about our campaign in Nutrition, lalo na ngayon na may pandemic” – Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson on Disaster Radio Fm Davao.
NEA Aguila Onse is the regional media group of NNC XI. NEA stands for News, Events, Activities. Aguila Onse represents Davao Region as the region is known for being a habitat of the National Bird, Philippine Eagle. The group is composed of various partners from different media entities in Davao Region which include partners from radio stations, TV, print, and even social media thru vlogging. They have been helping NNC in information dissemination since 2016 and been engaged in many projects especially in the Nutriskwela Stations’ refresher course and workshops. The said stations are broadcasting in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas in the region: Laak, Davao de Oro and San Isidro, Davao Oriental.
In this time of pandemic, NEA Aguila Onse is also mobilized to be vigilant in the strict enforcement of EO 51 or the “Milk Code of the Philippines,” and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations which the code aims to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by the protection and promotion of breast feeding and by ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes and breastmilk supplements when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution. These efforts resulted to the descension of milk donation cases in the region.
NEA Aguila Onse continues to commit in helping NNC in its campaign in scaling up nutrition in the Davao Region through Mass Media. “The media can “be an efficient resource for transmitting useful information about health to a large public” – Carole, 2000 (JWRF/MTLU)
