City of San Fernando, La Union — The National Nutrition Council-Regional Office I in close collaboration with the Department of Health- Regional Office I, spearheaded the launching of the 43rd Nutrition Month celebration with this year’s theme, “Healthy diet, gawing habit- FOR LIFE!” held at La Union National High School. This was attended by more than 1,000 individuals comprised of representatives from regional line agencies, local government partners, teachers and students.
The regional event was productively celebrated in partnership with the Department of Education- Regional Office I, League of Nutrition Action Officers- Region I, LuPangIlocos BNS Federation, La Union Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, Regional Organization of Nutrition Advocates- I (RONDA-I), KBP Pangasinan & La Union Chapters.
Ms. Madeleine Corpuz, LUNHS Principal IV, in behalf of the LUNHS faculty and staff welcomed the guests: Department of Education-Regional Office I Regional Director Dr. Alma Ruby Torio; Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Fatima Boado; Department of Health-Regional Office I Regional Director Myrna C. Cabotaje represented by Dr. Ronia Aragon, Chief of the Family Health Cluster and Dr. Veronica de Guzman, Dentist III of the Family Health Cluster; NNC-RO I Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Ma. Eileen Blanco; SGOD Chief Dr. Jose Mari Almeida; League of Nutrition Action Officers-Region I President Mr. Floramante Yadao; LuPangIlocos BNS Federation President Ms. Nory Estoesta; and Provincial Nutrition Action Officer of La Union Ms. Remelina Maglaya; and to everyone who attended the event.
“Kahit mahirap pa tayo, posible pa ring magkaroon ng tamang nutrisyon”, underscored by Dr. Boado, explaining in her message that there are other more ways one could take to achieve a healthy diet especially in their homes.
DepEd-RO I Regional Director Torio in her message challenged the students, teachers of LUNHS, and other guests to practice good nutrition. She stressed that DepEd-RO I has been compliant with policies to promote good nutrition in schools, like serving nutritious and affordable food in school canteens and cafeterias. Also, DOH-RO I Director Cabotaje represented by Dr. Aragon and Dr. de Guzman; and NPC Blanco, in behalf of the NNC-RO I, rendered each of their genuine messages in relation to this year’s nutrition month theme.
As one of the highlights of the said event, the 2017 Nutrition Month Talking Points was discussed by Mr. Kendall Pilgrim A. Gatan, NNC-RO I Nutrition Officer III, followed by a 40-minute Zumba session led by the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center Physical Therapist, Mr. Roy C. Abellera and Mr. Arman F. Garcia.
Another highlight was the simultaneous nutrition month competitions to include the poster-slogan making contest for the regional line agencies, Poster Making Contest for students and Nutri-Jazz Chant for students.
Mr. Paul Stanley Ramos and Ms. Maureen Heidi Perez of DOST won the poster-slogan contests while Mr. Jezz Nicholus de Vera and Ms. Maurice Philip Pugal of DOLE, and Mr. Alvin Padua and Ms. Nanet Garcia of DPWH garnered second and third, respectively.
On the other hand, Mr. Raven Rivera, Mr. Jhemerson Mamaril, and Ms. Jennica Venice Gurtiza were adjudged as first, second and third placer for the poster making contest.
Lastly, 10-Rizal section of La Union National High School won the nutri-jazz chant contest while 10-SPA and 10-Newton got the second and third place, respectively.
Also, RONDA-I and KBP-Pangasinan led the live press conference cum KBP Forum simultaneously held with the series of contests. Dir. Torio of DepEd-ROI, NPC Blanco of NNC-ROI, Dr. Aragon of DOH-ROI, Superintendent Boado of DepEd-SFC Division, and Mr. Almeida of SGOD served as the panelists.
The successful celebration started at 8:00 in the morning and ended at 3:00 in the afternoon.