Tacloban City– The National Nutrition Council (NNC) -Region 8 under the auspices of Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. spearheaded on Thursday the agency’s 47th Nutrition Month Launching in Eastern Visayas.

The event kickstarted with the planting of One Million Malunggay trees at the Government Center in the town of Palo. Accordingly, this will be rolled out to the different participating agencies to optimize the use of idle or vacant spaces within every office premises.

Being a fast-growing and easily accessible leafy vegetable, NNC promotes malunggay not only as dietary supplement, but also due to its proven efficacy to reduce cases of anemia especially among adults, women and children.

Aside from the tree planting, a motorcade which started in the town of Palo also reached northern barangays of Tacloban City and was joined by at least 45 vehicles with riding partner stakeholders from the public and private sector.

Later in the day, a blended virtual and in-person PressCon was held at Hotel Alejandro attended by local media practitioners and PIA-8 staff led by the new Officer-in-Charge Erna Gorne and former PIA8 Director Olive Tiu as moderator.

In his message, Dr. Dotollo, the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, explained that despite the continuous threats brought by Covid 19 pandemic, the Regional Nutrition Committee whose members consist of line agency heads have to move on, and take the lead in reminding the public of the importance of good nutrition, especially in critical times like this when peoples’ physical health and overall immune system are at risk due to Covid.

According to Dr. Dotollo, even with the current situation, the more that people should know about the significance of the fight against malnutrition, hence, this year’s monthlong event carries the theme: “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 days Tutukan.”

The theme fittingly calls on all stakeholders to continue the fight against malnutrition which may worsen due to the ongoing pandemic. It also reminds everyone to focus on the first 1000 days of life as a crucial period to prevent stunting and obesity.

Dotollo thanked all participating stakeholders and advocates including partner agencies, like DILG, DSWD, DA, NNC’s mother agency DOH, the academe and others, for the interagency members’ involvement in the tree planting and motorcade by sending at least 2-3 warm bodies including the driver in each service vehicle, and adhering strictly on standard health protocols while joining all activities, including the PressCon held later in the afternoon.

The DA-RFO8 with the RED as the ex-officio Vice Chairperson of the RNC has been represented by Mr. Francis Rosaroso, RAFIS Chief while the Department of Health, the RNC Chair was represented by the Nutrition Program Manager, Ms. Felecita R. Borata. # FCRosaroso