TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Members of the City Nutrition Council (CNC), Employees of the city government, barangay officials of the various barangays under Rural Health Unit 1, barangay midwives, senior citizens and staff of the City Health Services Office, joined in the culminating celebration of the 50th Nutrition Month with the theme “Sa PPAN sama-sama sa nutrisyong sapat para sa lahat.”
In his message, City Administrator Arnold Tenedero underlined that nutrition is a family-wide effort which means that parents should feed their children nutritious food for them to grow well.
Malnutrition is a significant social concern that causes underweight, overweight, and stunting in young children, he elaborated, pointing out that the use of instant food has become the source of a variety of health problems, including renal illness.
Tenedero also said that funds are allotted by the city government to support and sustain health and nutrition programs administered by the City Health Services Office (CHSO).
He further stated the need to review the status of the city’s nutrition-related services in order to improve service delivery to those in most need.
Francisco Gamatero, representing City Vice Mayor Dick Bal-o, remarked that this event acts as a checklist and reflection on how to enhance nutrition-related services in the next years.
Gamatero emphasized that nutrition is an important issue for the city government. Proper eating decreases stress and promotes a healthier, longer, and more productive life.
“Health is the greatest wealth, but it cannot be achieved overnight. Everybody needs physical activity, rest, clean environment and personal hygiene,” he quoted.
Oryza Joy Alunday, CHSO nurse, presented the Philippine Plan of Action on Nutrition (PPAN), which serves as the blueprint for an integrated program of nutrition interventions developed under the leadership of the National Nutrition Council which coordinates the implementation of nutrition-related programs and projects and is in charge of monitoring and evaluation.
Alunday indicated that beginning in August, the CHSO will assist the barangays in developing their Barangay Plan of Action on Nutrition for the period 2025-2028.
The culmination activity also served as an opportunity to acknowledge partners for their contributions to the local government’s feeding program.
Recognized were Tabuk Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TAFAMULCO), Office for the City Agricultural Services for their seed distribution, City Market Administration Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office for their supplementary feeding, and Tabuk Health Center I for their breastfeeding facility.
Certificate of recognition was also presented to barangays Appas, Balong, Cabaruan, Casigayan, Dagupan Weste, Dilag, Laya East, Laya West, Magsaysay, San Julian and San Juan, and Tabuk Health Center I as winners of the ‘mother- baby friendly workplace’.
Tabuk Health Center I was also recognized as ‘adolescent friendly workplace’.
Meanwhile, PhP5,000.00 cash incentives was also given to the six senior citizens who represented the City in the Zumba contest organized by the Provincial Health Services Office.
The top three winners for the search for healthy barangays were also awarded with certificates and cash incentives namely: Barangay Lucog with PhP10,000; Dagupan Weste with PhP7,500; and Gobgob with PhP5,000.
City Health Officer Dr. Henrietta Bagayao thanked all the stakeholders and partners for supporting the nutrition program of the city. She also reiterated that members of the CNC contributed a lot in the formulation and finalization of the City Nutrition Action Plan for 2023-2025, which was later adopted. By Darwin S. Serion
