On July 1, 2021, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) successfully conducted the 47th Nutrition Month Kick-off Activity via virtual platform and facebook livestream with the theme “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 days Tutukan!”. It was headed by the Executive Director of NNC Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang together with other invited dignitaries and personalities with high influence to champion nutrition.
By virtue of Presidential Decree 491 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, Nutrition Month is an annual campaign held every July to create greater awareness among Filipinos on the importance of nutrition. The law also mandates the NNC to lead and coordinate the nationwide campaign.
This year’s celebration calls for all members of society to work together towards continued efforts to address malnutrition amid the COVID-19 pandemic and guided by the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022 as the framework. And emphasizes the need for scaling up interventions in the first 1000 days of life through the strengthened implementation of Republic Act 11148 (Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act). The campaign aims to raise awareness on the nutrition issue and encourage various stakeholders to participate and engage in activities to improve nutrition. It is a whole society approach to promote good nutrition and disseminate information in the prevention and reduction of malnutrition.
“We need to drive nutrition education and ensure we have enabling settings for these learnings to be practiced. Thus, we need to ensure communities are food secure and that healthier food choices are available and accessible” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
There are supportive laws in support to nutrition that promote and protect children’s nutrition include Republic Act (RA) 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act RA 10028 of the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act, RA 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, and Executive Order 51 or the Philippine Milk Code. Among the other milestones related to the reduction of stunting and malnutrition in the country is the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022 that provides the framework to address malnutrition, including stunting, and its underlying factors. “Let us all work together to eliminate all forms of malnutrition, raise a new #Laking1000 generation of Filipinos achieving their full potential. Be one of the spoons us, along with other #NutritionChampions, to advocate for good nutrition among Filipinos beginning in the first 1000 days of life! Sa PPAN panalo ang bayan.”, ED Dayanghirang said in her call to action.
AA VI Angelyn P. Intal, RND
References:
- 2021 Nutrition Month Talking Points
https://www.nnc.gov.ph/component/phocadownload/category/58-region-10-policies-plan-activities?download=2985:2021-nutrition-month-talking-points
- 2021Nutrition Month Kick-off Event via Zoom and NNC Facebook Livestream