Agri fair highlights culmination of Nutrition Month celebration in Biliran

By FLOR JACKSON
August 9, 2010

NAVAL, Biliran  –  The culmination of the Nutrition Month celebration in July this year in the municipality of Naval and in the province of Biliran which was spearheaded jointly by the Naval Municipal Nutrition Council (MNC) and the Biliran Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) on August 3, 2010 was highlighted by the holding of the agricultural fair at the Naval Municipal Hall Compound.

The agri fair which was initiated by the Naval Municipal Agriculture Office through Mrs. Nascencia Abad, Municipal Agricultural Officer (MAO) who is also the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) of the said municipality, displayed and offered for sale agricultural products of farmers in the locality such as rootcrops, vegetables, fruits, a variety of fish like bangus and tilapia, crabs and other farm products which are best sources of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional elements that can lead to a healthy diet.

Likewise offered for sale at the agri fair was a variety of cut flowers raised by mothers in their own lot to augment family income.

The Nutrition Month culmination activity was started with a morning mass at 6:00 o’clock at the Naval Cathedral.  This was followed by a motorcade around the main thoroughfares of the town which was participated in by the members of the Naval MNC; PNC; Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Naval; officers and employees of the local government unit (LGU) of Naval, national government agencies; non-government organizations and other health workers.

Joining the motorcade was Naval Mayor Susan Parilla together with some Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members of Naval and other officials.

A short program immediately followed the motorcade.

Despite the heavy rains, the program went on smoothly at the municipal grounds with tents being put up to give shelter to the guests and program participants.

In her welcome message, Mayor Parilla thanked the SB members, the BHWs, and the BNS for their contribution in reducing the incidence of malnutrition in the municipality of Naval.

She likewise urged mothers to give their children nutritious foods so that when they grow up to maturity they will stay healthy and productive members in their own community.

The lady mayor believes that good nutrition and a balanced diet for children especially the pre-schoolers and the entire family will result to a dynamic community.

The guest of honor was Ms. Segundina Devota Dilao, Nutrition Officer III of the National Nutrition Council, Regional Office in Tacloban City who spoke on the highlights of nutrition information about the province of Biliran.

For his part, Biliran Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Brigido Caneja III who represented Governor Gerryboy Espina informed in his message that the provincial government of Biliran is providing essential health package for the Biliranons and this includes supplemental feeding in identified barangays in the province.

BM Caneja congratulated the LGU of Naval through Mayor Parilla for hosting the culmination program of the Nutrition Month celebration in Biliran.

He added that it is the goal of the provincial government to be a malnourished-free province in the years ahead.

He informed that the PNC has expanded its membership in include the non-government organizations.

As he ended his message, he urged mothers to breastfeed their babies so that they will grow up to be healthy and strong.

On the other hand, Dr. Alfonso Veneracion, Provincial Health Officer of Biliran who is also the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) in his message during the program said that the theme of the Nutrition Month celebration this year which is “Sa Pagkaing Tama at Sapat, Wastong Timbang Ni Baby ang Katapat” focused on babies less than one year old.

He urged lactating mothers to start giving complimentary foods to their babies after six months as he advised them to give their babies go, grow and glow foods to keep a well balanced diet.