Kalinga set to celebrate Nutri Month

By Geraldine G. Dumallig

Sunday 1st of July 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, July1 (PIA) –- The provincial government of Kalinga has enjoined all concerned especially the local government units in the province to observe Nutrition Month on July as declared under Presidential Decree 491.

With the theme “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain,” Governor Jocel Baac through a memorandum has directed the promotion of vegetable consumption among the people in the province.

As prescribed in the 5th Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos, the consumption of vegetables is important in the prevention and elimination of deficiencies in Vitamin A and iron in the people’s diet.

Aside from the vitamins, minerals and fiber, vegetables are also sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants that are known to help prevent cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

The program also intends to develop among parents and caregivers, and consequently among their children and family members the habit of eating at least three servings of vegetables every day.

Among the activities that the governor directed for the concerned agencies and LGUs to undertake include the putting up of streamers to remind and inform the public of the month-long celebration.

On July 2, a motorcade among government agencies in support to the celebration will be conducted while a short program on the occasion would also be held in the various LGUs.

LGUs are also mandated to mobilize and conduct massive nutrition information education through meetings, assemblies, classes, seminars and other to give focus on the campaign on environmental protection and vegetable gardening among communities and schools.

The province is also planning to hold a capability building training among nutrition program implementers at the municipal and provincial level.

Nutrition programs are also set to be discussed on air by key agencies over the province government radio station DZRK Radyo ng Bayan.

Culminating the month-long celebration will be the People’s Day on July 31 to be hosted by the city government of Tabuk to be highlighted by various competitions on health and nutrition among the school children. (JDP/GGD- PIA CAR, Kalinga)