PALO, Leyte – The local government of Hindang, Leyte has wrapped up its 2022 Nutrition Month Celebration with series of activities on July 28, 2020.

This year’s Nutrition Month Campaign with a theme “New Normal na Nutrisyon, Sama-Samang Gawan ng Solusyon” calls for strengthened nutrition interventions and solidarity towards nutrition improvement as the country shifts towards living with the COVID-19 virus.

The Campaign calls for a collective effort to improve nutrition as we move forward to a better new normal. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of nutrition in building resilience and recovery from the pandemic; stimulate discussions among stakeholders, nutrition partners and key influencers on how to build back better to a new normal and scale-up of nutrition interventions; and engage various sectors and the public in activities that promote nutrition.

The activity was held at the Municipal Gymnasium and was participated by the municipal leaders headed by the Municipal Mayor and Chairperson of the Municipal Nutrition Committee, Hon. Betty A. Cabal, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer and Municipal Health Officer, Doc. Estarmio P. Zafico, barangay officials of the twenty (20) barangays, department heads, RHU staff, school heads and teachers, Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS).

Present also during the activity were Ms. Melody Edulantes and Ms. Saloma B. Gisulga of VSU-BIDANI and Ms. Annabel B. Limbagan, representing the National Nutrition Council Region 8.

It was officially opened and welcomed by the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer and Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Estarmio P. Zafico. In his message, he thanked the barangay officials of the 20 barangays for their participation of the said activity. He also emphasized the importance of nutrition in bullilding resilience and recovery from the pandemic.

Moreover, Hon. Mayor Betty A. Cabal in her message she emphasized that the 2022 Nutrition theme calls for strengthened nutrition interventions and solidarity towards nutrition improvement among all Hindanganons as the country shifts towards living with the COVID-19 virus.

She also shared that the pandemic brought by the COVID-19 virus has huge impacts on nutrition such as disruption or limitation in the delivery of health and nutrition services. But she then emphasized some positive impacts such as innovation in service delivery and capability activities and home food production like some people were able to sell their goods/products online and solidarity among the people.

Meanwhile, Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo Jr. of the National Nutrition Council Region 8, thanked the good Mayor for her initiatives and support to nutrition programs and activities in the municipality and in terms of financial assistance to all the BNSs of the 20 barangays. RNPC Dotollo emphasized to invest in nutrition programs/projects/ activities in different sectors and make dialogues with stakeholders, nutrition partners and key influencers to scale-up nutrition interventions.

In addition, DM II Limbagan shared that the 2022 Nutrition theme signifies the key role of nutrition in building resilience and recovery from the pandemic. She also commended the health and nutrition workers especially the Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars for their dedication and active participation to nutrition programs and activities in their respective barangays.

Also, part of the activity was preparation and distribution of Binignit and Nutripacks Champorado which were prepared and distributed by the BNSs.

Nutripack Champorado is locally produced by Hindang Nutripack Producers Association.

Another activity during the culmination was the awarding of winners for Best in Association Gardens, Barangay with highest MELLPI Pro score and Best Displayed Area/Exhibits (home/community grown vegetables and fruits).

All the 20 barangays participated the contest. All the winners were given cash prizes and certificates. #DMOII-ABL