Cavite hosted this year’s CALABARZON Regional Nutrition Month Launching which also served as the provincial celebration opening salvo last July 3, 2023 at the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health in Trece Martires City. The event facilitated by the Nutrition Cluster of the Office of the Provincial Health Officer was attended by nutrition forerunners from the different provinces of the southern Tagalog region, representatives from the National Nutrition Council-Calabarzon, members of the Provincial Nutrition Committee, City and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars of Cavite.
Bearing the theme, Healthy Diet gawing affordable for all, this year’s nutrition month program highlighted the need to advocate towards sustainable healthy diets and to in making them more accessible to improve nutrition status and security.
Provincial Administrator for Community Affairs Alvin S. Mojica welcomed the attendees and delivered a message on behalf of Governor Jonvic Remulla, reiterating the provincial government’s support to the nutrition programs. Messages of support were also delivered in absentia, from Ms. Carina Z. Santiago, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, and Dr. Ariel I. Valencia, Director of DOH-CHD Calabarzon.
Eye-opening statistics were shared by Ms. Lourdes Orongan, Nutrition Officer III of NNC-Calabarzon during her discussion of the nutrition month talking points revealing how Filipinos tend to misallocate food spending amidst the fact that food is getting more expensive over the years. She emphasized the need to not just settle for energy sufficient diet, but to strive for nutrient adequate diet, and ultimately, achieve healthy diet among families though policies and investments aimed to reduce the cost of nutritious food.
During the program, Cavite Provincial Nutrition Action Officer also shared some nutrition initiatives in the province promoting healthy diets among Caviteños. Other activities included in the program were the awarding of certificates to nutrition focal persons together with the guests and Provincial Epidemiologist, Dr. Nelson Soriano; Nutri Quiz; Pledge of commitment of nutrition stakeholders including NAOPA Cavite President, BNS Federation President, representative of PNC member agencies and organizations including DILG, DOS, RNC Kabisig ng Kalahi and PGC offices, which facilitated by Dr. Carlos Buasen, Regional Director of the National Commission of Indigenous People Region IV-A; and, intermission number by select BNCs.(PICAD
