NNC Calabarzon in collaboration with DOH CHD-Calabarzon, and together with the eTURO Project Team (from Ateneo De Manila University) recently conducted its 2021 Nutrition Month regional online launching with the theme: “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 Days Tutukan!’

The call to action is: “By working together, we can end all forms of malnutrition. Let us scale up critical actions in the first 1000 days of life!”

The launching activity was facilitated by Ms. Jellie Anne Palencia, a nutritionist dietitian of DOH CHD-Calabarzon – and Ms. Carina Santiago, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Calabarzon.

The webinar mainly tackled the following: the 2021 Nutrition Month celebration; the nutrition situation in the Philippines; the programs for LGUs to address malnutrition based on PPAN 2017-2022; the opportunities for stakeholders to support nutrition; and the regional plan of activities for Nutrition Month. The discussions were followed by an open forum session.

The activities also highlighted deliberations on the impact of the First 1000 Days or the “golden window of opportunity.” It consisted of the optimum growth and development of a child; achieving higher IQ and better performance in school; lowering the risk of diseases; increasing productivity; and reducing child death.

For the regional plan of activities, these were mentioned: the “Virtual Conference on PPAN for Barangays” to be attended by the various barangay captains in Calabarzon; “Kapihan sa PIA”; Radio Guestings; hanging of “Nutrition Month” streamers; photo contest for healthy pregnant women; “TikTok challenge on F1K Jingle”; nutrition month “FB Nutri quiz”; and “Ano G?” and Nutriflicks on Facebook and “Social Media Cards”.

Joint efforts and collaborations impact greatly on project enhancement and performance. Thus, NNC encourages all stakeholders to join in the celebration of the 2021 Nutrition Month.

By: Darrenz William M. Mateos