The City Government of Davao, in collaboration with the Department of Health – Davao Center for Health Development and the National Nutrition Council XI, underscored food and nutrition security as the highlight of the month-long nutrition month celebration.
The regional level launching activity was held on Tuesday at Rizal Park.
This year’s theme is the “PPAN Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat,” with the sub-theme: “Food at Nutrition Security, Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin.”
As the theme includes food security and nutrition security, containerized gardens and community gardens are being pushed as essentials to achieve good nutrition in households.
CHO Nutrition Division Coordinator Elizabeth Banzon told Madayaw Davao that affordable and nutritious food need not be expensive.
“Ginaawhag namo ang tanan, start a home and community garden, household garden even sa workplace. Hinay hinay nata para maka-secure ta sa atong pagkaon. Ang atong food should be sufficient, safe and nutritous. So dili need na mahalon siya but ang cheaper foods atong i-patronize, ang atong local farmers (We encourage everyone to start a home and community garden, household garden, even in the workplace. We must start small as early as now to secure our food. Our food should be sufficient, safe and nutritious. It does not need to be costly but cheaper as we patronize our local farmers),” Banzon said.
During the launching, the City Agriculturist Office held an urban containerized vegetable production demonstration, and a ceremonial fruit tree planting was also done by stakeholders. The office also distributed seedlings, compost, and vegetables.
The City Health Office (CHO) also conducted free health consultation, and laboratory. Free medicine and healthy food were also distributed by stakeholders in their booths during the event.
Banzon said throughout the month, the CHO will conduct many advocacy activities, feeding activities and training for vegetable gardening in schools and in households, and on planting fruit trees.
She encouraged mothers to follow the 1,000-day breast feeding guide to ensure their baby’s health, encouraged the continuous supplemental feeding of malnourished and overnourished school-age children, observance of Kumainments, and also maintenance of active lifestyle to ensure good health.
Banzon also said that each health center has free consultation and check-ups. CIO
