Last July 22, 2021, the regional office of the National Nutrition Council in Zamboanga Peninsula successfully conducted a webinar on the 2021 Nutrition Month Talking Points to teaching and non-teaching personnel of Zamboanga City Schools Division via Google Meet and Facebook live. The online event was participated by almost five-hundred attendees which consisted of school heads, teachers of both elementary and secondary levels of the different school districts in Zamboanga City. The Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong, RND, MDM together with the NNC 9 technical staff were overwhelmed with the support given by the participants and would not have been made possible without the support of the OIC-Office of the Schools Division Superintendent Mr. Roy C. Tuballa, END, JD, CESO VI and the City Schools Division Nutritionist-Dietitian Mr. Eric T. Bangkal, RND, FSCO.

The said activity elaborately discussed the 2021 Nutrition Month Talking Points to promote better understanding on why the theme of the 47th Nutrition Month, “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 Days Tutukan!”, has been chosen emphasizing the critical period of the First 1000 Days of a child as the golden window of opportunity.

The participants were chosen to become the beneficiary of the said online activity for their crucial role in inculcating to their families as well as to their potential contribution in instilling the learnings to their pupils on the importance of good nutrition specifically on the first 1000 days. As to what the objectives of the campaign state: Educate, Encourage and Engage. These objectives can also be applied in school; 1.) Educate – teach students/pupils to eat nutrient-dense food and live a healthy lifestyle, 2.) Encourage – inspire primary caregivers or mothers to monitor children and practice good nutrition at home, and 3.) Engage – include teachers to become active nutrition partners promoting good nutrition in their community.

The regional office is looking forward to conducting more webinar series to get a larger scope or group to help disseminate nutrition information and improve the overall nutrition well-being of the people in Zamboanga Peninsula. As what NNC Executive Director and Assis. Secretary Azucena Dayanghirang said, “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 to advocate for good nutrition among Filipinos beginning in the First 1000 Days of Life.

NO II Joanna Marie E. Baltazar