Comval kicks off Nutrition Month

COMPOSTELA Valley Province -- The provincial government of Compostela Valley through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) launched the 44th Nutrition Month Celebration on July 2, 2018 at the Capitol Lobby, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval with the theme, “Ugaliing magtanim, Sapat na nutrisyon aanihin!”.

Doctor Abigail A. Amores, Medical OfficerIV and the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), said that based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRIDOST) in 2013, Filipinos from various population groups continue to be affected by micronutrient deficiencies, particularly Iron, Iodine and Vitamin A.

In her report, in 2017, there are 2,064 malnourished pre-school children in Comval, out of 351,026 pre-school children in the 11 municipalities.

“The highest number, 391, is seen in the municipality of Monkayo and the lowest (11) in Nabunturan. While the Provincial Prevalence rate is 0.59% one of the lowest in the country but 2,064 is still an alarming number," Amores said.

“To address food and nutrition insecurity, sustainable food resources, such as food gardening, is considered. In the Philippines, only seven out of 10 households or 67.7% practice food gardening at home. Majority of households with home gardens or 79.1% utilize their produce for personal consumption, while only 17.6% were able to consume and sell their produce,” Amores added.