NNC-8 intensifies promotion of affordable healthy diet for all

Published on: July 07, 2023

Updated as of July 9, 2023 12:13 pm

By Consuelo Alarcon

TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) -- Despite sudden downpour on Wednesday, July 5, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 8, together with representatives of government agencies, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders pushed through with the 49th regional launching of the Nutrition Month Celebration in Palo, Leyte as the host municipality.

The objective was to intensify its campaign on the importance of healthy diet yet affordable for every Filipino.

The launching started with a motorcade with tarpaulins and streamers placed on the participants' vehicles with the theme, “HEALTHY DIET gawing affordable FOR ALL.”

The route started at the Boy Scout Monument, Government Center, Palo, Leyte, then went around the town’s main streets until it reached the nearby municipality of Tanauan, Leyte and back to Palo Municipal Hall.

It was followed by a program and a press conference participated by members of the media.

“We invited the regional line agencies, the technical working group and other stakeholders as they help us in our efforts to achieve a greater access to healthy, safe and affordable food,” Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo Jr., NNC-8 regional nutrition program coordinator, said.

Through the existing food security program and interventions of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Agrarian Reform, and other partners, Dotollo hopes to achieve the government’s goal for healthy Filipinos in the coming years.

Dotollo believed that poverty is not a hindrance to live a healthy life since plant-based foods can be available in the communities.

Data from NNC-8 showed that in 2022, two (2) out of 50 children aged 0-59 months old in Eastern Visayas are wasted, four (4) out of 50 children are underweight, three (3) out of 20 children are stunted and one (1) out of 20 children is obese or overweight.

A participatory cooking demonstration was also held during the first day to showcase and teach the local communities how to prepare a safe, healthy and affordable food for their families. (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)