Alegria, Cebu - Municipal Nutrition Committee Alegria had a simple yet meaningful celebration to commemorate the 48th Nutrition Month with the theme “New normal na nutrisyon, sama-samang gawan ng solusyon”. They launch the annual campaign on 04 July 2022 during the flag ceremony in the municipal hall grounds. This was attended by Hon. Mayor Gilberto Magallon, Vice-Mayor Verna Magallon, all LGU heads and employees and Rural Health Unit employees led by Municipal Health Officer/ Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Clarissa O. Cardona.
The short program started with a Nutrition Month prayer, followed by welcome message by Hon. Mayor Magallon, Then, there was a discussion on the Nutrition Month talking points. All the department heads also verbalized the Nutrition Month pledge. The launching activity was highlighted with a ceremonial distribution of vegetable seedling to the family of malnourished children by the Department of Agriculture. SB Chair on Health Hon. Jerome M. Rodriguez delivered the closing message.
The Nutrition Month campaign was sustained with nutrition promotion and advocacy activities in barangays focusing on pregnant women because the 2022 Operation Timbang Plus result shows that stunting is still prevalent in the municipality. Barangays with high rate of stunting were prioritized for nutrition advocacy.
The nutrition promotion started in Barangay Guadalupe on 04 July after the opening program, followed by Barangay Inghoy on 05 July, Barangay Montpeller on 12th of July. The activity was continued in Barangay Sta. Filomena on 13 July, in Barangay Madriedejos on 25 July and in Barangay Compostella on 26 July.
During these campaigns the participants were oriented about Mother, Infant and Young Child Nutrition highlighting the significance of first 1000 days of life, Nutrition Month talking points, safe motherhood, and importance of COVID vaccination. These sustaining activities aimed to educate the pregnant mothers to help them stay healthy during pregnancy, have a safe delivery and to deliver a healthy baby. Through the barangay approach, far flung and geographically isolated areas were reached cascading the Nutrition Month campaign to more audience. // ND II Irene M. Umagap, RND
