Cebu City – Despite the bad weather, five hundred (500) delegates participated in the Nutrition Month 2014 Launching activities last 01 July 2014. NNC 7 led by RNPC Parolita A. Mission in collaboration with the Cebu City Nutrition Council chaired by Mayor of Cebu City, Hon. Michael A. Rama, a series of activities were done to officially open the month’s celebration. In line with the theme, “Kalamidad paghandaan: Gutom at malnutrisyon agapan!”, the activities planned out aimed to focus on informing the public about Nutrition in Emergencies.

The day’s celebration was started off with a parade dubbed “Walk for NiE”, a total of one hundred fifty (150) delegates participated in the walk which started from Plaza Independencia, Cebu City to Plaza Sugbo fronting Cebu City Hall. 

Following the Walk, a Mass was held to ask the intercession of the Holy Father for the month-long celebration. The mass was celebrated by Mon. Ruben Labajo.

Highlighting the day’s kickoff activities was the Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE) Exhibit. Following the mass, a short ribbon-cutting program followed. Gracing the program was Cebu City Vice-Mayor Edgardo Labella, Cebu City Health Officer Dr. Daisy Villa and NPC Parolita A. Missionm, who delivered speeches and then proceeded to the ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open the NiE exhibit. The Exhibit showcased food-based interventions, nutrition assessment, IYCF in Emergencies, micronutrient supplementation, nutrition information and communication education. Booths were manned by different organizations and institutions such as the Office of Civil Defense, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Feed the Children Philippines, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Doctors University and University of San Carlos. The Exhibit ran for three (3) days from 01 to 03 July 2014.

With visitors coming to the Exhibit, it was foreseen that the residents of Cebu City and Region VII through the different media outlets would be informed and be equipped to act responsibly during emergencies. //DFB