To create awareness on the importance of healthy diet and promote habit on giving suitable nutrition for the members of the family, the Cavite Provincial Health Office, in partnership with the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction, celebrated the 43rd Nutrition Month with the theme “Healthy Diet, Gawing Habit for Life” at the Collaboration Center for Public Health in Silang town.
The gathering was attended by provincial nutrition committee members, IIRR’s nutrition officers and agriculturists, municipal and city nutrition action officers, city nutrition program coordinators, technical staff and employees from the Provincial Health Office, barangay nutrition scholar awardees and federation officers, and selected active and newly trained BNS.
During the celebration, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Helen Penalba, emphasized the importance of promoting healthy diet at home, in the workplace and in the community. She also reiterated the significance of the roles of the local chief executives in its campaign and advocacy on proper nutrition.
Dr. Gilberto P. Ilog, Provincial Health Officer 1, encouraged the participants to actively join their undertaking, focus on educating every family on the relevance of proper nutrition and build awareness on the effects of nutrition deficiency in every child.
He expressed his enthusiasm in educating the mothers to teach their children on eating vegetables and other nutritious foods.
Edward C. Paglinawan, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, discussed the principles of healthy diet which comprised of balance, variety and moderation of food intake.
He also stated that the organization had the responsibility to encourage food industry including farmers, manufacturers, distributors and food establishments to make amicable healthier food options, advocate for national and local legislation and policies to improve food environment, help the public on better food choices and engross awareness on healthy diet to prevent, and reduce malnutrition and non-communicable diseases.
Engr. Enrico “Boy” Alvarez, representing Cavite Governor Boying Remulla, recognized the BNS and nutrition action officers for their untiring support to accomplish the nutrition programs in their communities.
He expressed gratitude to the people behind the success of the nutrition programs in the province and those who have exerted extra effort to make a conscious and dependable outcome on nutrition issues.
Guests and speakers also contributed their knowledge on nutrition. Irish Baguilat, IIRR Program Manager discussed the Integrated Nutrition Model and showed the significance of having a vegetable garden at home or in school.
Ian Curt R. Sarmiento, IIRR Nutrition Officer, illustrated and explained the indigenous vegetables and crops for healthy diet.