Cebu City - Cebu Central Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in coordination with Welfare and Self-Reliance a SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) civil society member of Central Visayas partners with Department of Health CV CHD, National Nutrition Council Region VII, and Cebu City Health Office to prioritize nutrition to its church members and surrounding community.

The Child Nutrition Program was launched at Cebu Central Stake Center in Tres de Abril, Cebu City on 3 December 2022. The program targets to improve the nutritional status of the church's primary children and its community (Punta Princesa, Cebu City) aged 0 to 60 months. The program aims to provide interventions to bring every child to a healthy status.

The event was graced by Cebu City Nutrition Committee Chair, Hon. Mayor Michael L. Rama, wherein he thanked the church's efforts to address malnutrition in the area. Councilor Jocelyn G. Pesquera of Cebu City South District and the chairwoman of the Committee on Health shared in her message that nutrition is important to each and everyone most especially to pregnant and lactating mothers and children to have a healthy community. She further said that she hopes and looks forward to other stake centers of the church replicating the program in turn addressing malnutrition and having a healthy society.

Forty-five (45) children between the ages of 0 to 60 months participated in the child nutrition program of Cebu Central Stake, the beneficiaries were able to have a nutrition screening and assessment. Parents and guardians of the children had the opportunity to do nutrition counseling on their child’s nutrition status with registered dietitians. Cebu City Public Health Nurse Ms. Luna L. Cruz RN, City Health Office Nutrition Program Coordinator Mr. Allan M. Daag RND, City Health Office Nutritionist-Dietitian Ms. Mary Gessa Vergara RND, and National Nutrition Council Region VII ND II Mr. James Aaron S. Perez RND participated the event.

President Arnolfo Gorgonio of Cebu Central Stake of the LDS Church thanked the partners for their big support of the program. He said that the church does not only foster the spiritual nourishment of its members but also prioritizes the physical and healthy nourishment of every member and its surrounding communities.

Don’t forget to like, follow, and share the National Nutrition Council 7 official Facebook page and other social media platforms for more updates on the ongoing nutrition programs and activities in Central Visayas. // ND II James Aaron S. Perez, RND