Region VII

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 26 August 2022

Alegria, Cebu – The secretariat local nutrition cluster of Alegria, Cebu composed of select health and nutrition personnel has drafted a Nutrition in Emergency (NiE) plan. The revitalization of the plan was a result of the technical assistance provided by Cebu Information Management Officer Gabe Henriel Sucalit who facilitated the planning session held on 10August 2022 at the Rural Health Unit of said municipality. The session was attended by MNAO/MHO Dr. Claire Cardona, MNPC/PHN Rosa Darlenita Chua, Nutrition Focal Person Julebi Anhao, and Nurse II Mia Shara Corpuz. Before the plan formulation, IMO Sucalit discussed the basics of Nutrition in Emergencies and the importance of information management.

Last December 2021, Typhoon Odette (international name, Rai) had badly stricken the southern part of Cebu province including Alegria, affecting more than half a million residents, and causing more than Php 15 million in damages. As part of the nutrition management response during disasters and emergencies, the Regional Nutrition Committee has deployed personnel to pan-out Nutrition Service Package in the affected areas, especially to the children below 5 years old, and pregnant and lactating women.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 25 August 2022

Loon, Bohol - The Municipal Nutrition Committee of Loon, Bohol conducted two batches of roll-out orientation on Idol Ko si Nanay. This was held on 14 and 15 July 2022 at Loon Municipal Activity Center, Loon, Bohol. A total of 67 participants composed of Barangay Nutrition Scholars and Barangay Health Workers joined the orientation. Also present during said orientation were the Municipal Health Officer Maria Victoria D. Lamparas, midwives, and nurses of the municipality. NDs II Annie Claire B. Añasco and Marcel John J. Cartin of DOH CV CHD/NNC 7 acted as resource persons.

Idol Ko si Nanay is a 10-module class inclusive of lectures and actual food demonstrations with the main objective to increase the knowledge of participants on “Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in the First 1000 (F1K) Days”. The session hopes to empower mothers and caregivers of 6-23 months old children to provide nutritional care to their children.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 24 August 2022

Cebu City - Eat more carrots to have good eyesight. Eat spinach to get “Popeye–muscles”. Fish is food for the brain. An apple a day keeps the doctors away. These old wives’ tales are passed down generation to generation despite there isn’t hard evidence that proves so. However, have we ever asked ourselves why our parents always repeatedly reminded us to always eat our fruits and vegetables? And why do their parents do the same thing to them?

Although there isn’t any proven scientific explanation that can show that these tales are completely accurate, there is a bit of truth that stems from them. We eat more vegetables and vitamins every day to get the essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers for the regulation of body processes. There are some vitamins that do not naturally occur in the body. The only way we can get them is from the foods we eat.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 25 August 2022

Cebu City - The term "first 1,000 days" refers to a child's life from the time of conception until the child turns two years old (24 months). During this period, their immune system, body, and brain all significantly develop and grow. This specific period of life will determine on how the baby will grow and without proper knowledge of what you give your baby, it can affect their growth and progress. Nutrition plays a vital role in this period. Breastfeeding is the most important thing to consider in this period, especially in the first six months. The milk that comes from breastfeeding contains nutrients that is very vital in the growth of the baby.

It is crucial for a mother to keep track of the nutrition she consumes during her breastfeeding period. Nutrition for nursing moms not only promotes physical health but also the production of breast milk, which is essential for the growth and development of the infant.

Read more: Importance of Colostrum

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 23 August 2022

Bohol Province – The Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) of Bohol prepared for the full implementation of the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program (TKSP) as it finalized the masterlist of beneficiaries including their contact details for the nutri-text, readied the memorandum of understanding between the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and provincial government as well as the municipal LGUs who will be implementing the program. The PNC secretariat also made social preparation with these LGUs, especially on the role definition of the municipal and barangay nutrition committee.

With the result of recent studies showing that Filipinos rank as the second shortest people in the ASEAN Region and as part of the programs under the Ambisyon Natin 2040, Philippine Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals and as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NNC piloted the implementation of TKSP in certain areas of the country. The program which aims to reduce stunting among children under-five years old will be implemented in 13 municipalities of Bohol namely: Alburquerque, Baclayon, BienUnido, Buenavista, Corella, Danao, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Lila, Panglao, Pilar, Sikatuna and Tubigon.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 24 August 2022

Cebu City – SUN Business Network Chair in Central Visays also the CEO of the Green Pantry Mr. Jonel A. Ucab leaped toward sustainable and healthy living. He created its first-ever array of plant-based menus offering meal subscriptions online. Slowly the advocacy evolved to having physical stalls along Cebu province and nearby islands offering healthy pastries, meals, snacks, and beverages contributing to sustainable and healthy living for the community.

As the pandemic heavily impacted Cebu City, lockdowns, changing lives, and everyone trying to secure necessary defense against illnesses especially COVID-19 virus, Mr. Ucab maximized the situation to push for healthy eating. Nutrition played a big role in Mr. Ucab’s advocacy to motivate more people to convert to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle as he sees many children, pregnant and lactating mothers, individuals, and households go undernourished, and more especially the go-to foods are unhealthy food choices.