NNC 10 Lauds Valencia City, Conducts Media Nutrition Education Seminar-Workshop
Consistent with the mandate of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, the National Nutrition Council Region 10 (NNC-10)compliantly spearheads major nutrition advocacy movements in the region.
To better educate the public to support the local and national governments initiatives in the implementation of intervening nutrition programs, the agency partnered with the regional media group in advocating significant nutrition activities.
Together with its lead information arm the Media Advocates for Nutrition and Governance (MANGO DIEZ) Region 10, NNC–10 recently conducted continuing nutrition education seminar-workshop hosted by Northern Mindanao’s top notch nutrition program implementer - Valencia City.
By bringing together the quad media in the region, the activity primarily aimed to underscore unique nutrition practices implemented by Valencia City as Nutrition Honor Awardee (NHA), the highest distinction given to local government unit with exemplary nutrition initiatives.
Valencia City has been consistently cited for its outstanding efforts in championing innovative nutrition-focused programs. As the model LGU NNC-10 is hopeful that other local government units in the region will be able to benchmark Valencia City’s groundbreaking nutrition programs to better the nutrition situation in their respective localities.
Central to Valencia’s nutrition objectives is the active participation of the different stakeholders – public, private and volunteers.
The City Nutrition Committee Chairman, Mayor Azucena P. Huervas credited successful implementation of the city’s nutrition agendas to the active participation of whole community in the city.
"Tungod sa among panaghiusa sa mga local officials, empleyado sa tanan sector sa community, sa tanan agency national man or local nagkatimbayong kami labi na sa mga media practitioners og partner NGOs sa pagdasig sa among katawhan aron ma maintain namo ang nutrition status sa among mga kabataan dinhi sa Valencia", Huervas said.
The Mayor further stressed the importance of genuine commitment and cooperation of all concern individuals and offices to materialize common nutrition objectives.
In her part, Ms. Hazel P. Dondonayos, Valencia City Nutrition Action Officer attributed the LGU’s milestone in nutrition to sufficient program funding. Having enough budget is crucial to mobilize nutrition activities according to her.
“Importante gyud ang budget. In fact, usa na sya sa galantawon sa mga accreditors. If naa tay sakto nga budget mahimo gyud nato ang mga dapat buhaton. Swerte lng gyud mi kay supportive kayo ang amomga local official”,Dondonayos stressed.
Valencia City gained national attention by implementing outstanding nutrition programs such as: The establishment of “NUTRILAND”a 2.5-hectare centralized demonstration area where all nutrition specific and sensitive interventions will be provided to rehabilitate malnourished children; Biggest Loser – weight loosing campaign for both obese adults and children; Buntis Congress – a convention advocating the observance of proper nutrition practices among pregnant women; Government offices-sponsored feeding programs; In-school and Household Nutrition Education; Nutrition Counseling for Malnourished Children and Individuals, Vegetable Seedlings and Livestock Distribution, House-to-house Operation Timbang Plus and Salt Iodization Testing, among others.
One of Valencia City’s prides is Barangay Lumbo. Lumbo is an in-city barangay consistently awarded the Green Banner Award by the National Nutrition Council. The barangay was laurelled for its nutrition programs such as communal garden and fishpond where residents work together to put up and maintain as common food source; Urban Gardening for subdivisions located inside the barangay; Household Gardening for Lactating Mother; Gulayan sa Paaralan; Barangay and school Nurseries, Exclusive Breastfeeding Campaign and other significant nutrition activities.
Through varied nutrition intervention programs initiated by local officials Lumbo ably maintained a remarkable zero malnourish children record, a notable nutrition statistics both in the region and national level.
“The aim of this activity is to educate our media partners on NNC’s current efforts and developments, including the PPAN 2017-2022, on addressing malnutrition. We also want our media partners to see firsthand the good practices of performing LGUs. Through this activity, we hope that they will be inspired all the more to disseminate correct nutrition information and current developments in curbing malnutrition”, NNC X Nutrition Officer I and programin-charge Sheena Marie G. Talle explained.