By Anjeanette Manuel
Jolan begs for leftover food as she carries her black puppy in front of the students walking on the side walk. Her mother, lying on the ground was unaware of what’s in store for this month.
She said, “We are poor, hopeless and
She said, “We are poor, hopeless and
Photo Courtesy of deped.gov.ph
we know nothing. That’s the problem with the government, just because we can’t contribute to the economy, they leave us out.”
The nationwide launching of the 39th observance of National Nutrition Month on July 1, 2013 led by The National Nutrition Council (NNC) took this month as an advantage in eradicating “hunger and poverty rate of the country” yet some people do not have any idea that this project exists.
The Presidential Decree 49, the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, signed on June 25, 1974 made July the Nutrional Month in the Philippines every year.
This year’s theme, “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-sama Nating Wakasan” aims to elevate awareness on issues and solutions in curbing out hunger and malnutrition, encourages people, non-government sectors, private agencies and civil society groups, and communities across the nation to speak out and initiate moves that will result to action.
Various activities have been lined up throughout the country for the month-long celebration, including planting of vegetables and fruit-growing trees at schools, day care centers, communities, hospitals, parks, and residences; forums, lectures, and seminars; contests, concerts, exhibits, and sports festivals thus, encouraging all public and private schools to take part in instigating activities that will highlight the importance of good nutrition and well-being.
Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) assigned by the NNC, are the forerunners in delivering nutrition and health services in barangays, and implementers in the advocacy for community development projects. According to statistics, some 22,083 BNS are currently scattered by NNC in 954 municipalities covering 19,032 barangays nationwide.
Public schools started to post posters about how important it is for a person to follow the go, grow, and glow food lifestyle. Various Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chair persons are implementing feeding programs that accommodate hundreds of children in the baranggays they are serving. They gave food with a balanced diet pattern that could serve as a model for the proper everyday meals of a child.
Baranggay officials in certain parts of the country are starting lectures not just for the benefit of the children in the community but also for the general population with regards to healthy living and lifestyle.
Informal settlers and street beggars are still clueless and thinking what this whole thing is about. Like Jolan and her family, they were uninformed and they believe that this Nutritional Month only benefit those who have ample education and living in a settled community.
“How about people like us who don’t have any formal education or enough access to the media? How can we benefit from this thing if the government seems to exclude us from this nutritional month we know nothing about? We’re really getting nowhere,” said Aling Jimena, a street sweeper.
The nationwide launching of the 39th observance of National Nutrition Month on July 1, 2013 led by The National Nutrition Council (NNC) took this month as an advantage in eradicating “hunger and poverty rate of the country” yet some people do not have any idea that this project exists.
The Presidential Decree 49, the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, signed on June 25, 1974 made July the Nutrional Month in the Philippines every year.
This year’s theme, “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-sama Nating Wakasan” aims to elevate awareness on issues and solutions in curbing out hunger and malnutrition, encourages people, non-government sectors, private agencies and civil society groups, and communities across the nation to speak out and initiate moves that will result to action.
Various activities have been lined up throughout the country for the month-long celebration, including planting of vegetables and fruit-growing trees at schools, day care centers, communities, hospitals, parks, and residences; forums, lectures, and seminars; contests, concerts, exhibits, and sports festivals thus, encouraging all public and private schools to take part in instigating activities that will highlight the importance of good nutrition and well-being.
Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) assigned by the NNC, are the forerunners in delivering nutrition and health services in barangays, and implementers in the advocacy for community development projects. According to statistics, some 22,083 BNS are currently scattered by NNC in 954 municipalities covering 19,032 barangays nationwide.
Public schools started to post posters about how important it is for a person to follow the go, grow, and glow food lifestyle. Various Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chair persons are implementing feeding programs that accommodate hundreds of children in the baranggays they are serving. They gave food with a balanced diet pattern that could serve as a model for the proper everyday meals of a child.
Baranggay officials in certain parts of the country are starting lectures not just for the benefit of the children in the community but also for the general population with regards to healthy living and lifestyle.
Informal settlers and street beggars are still clueless and thinking what this whole thing is about. Like Jolan and her family, they were uninformed and they believe that this Nutritional Month only benefit those who have ample education and living in a settled community.
“How about people like us who don’t have any formal education or enough access to the media? How can we benefit from this thing if the government seems to exclude us from this nutritional month we know nothing about? We’re really getting nowhere,” said Aling Jimena, a street sweeper.
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