LAOAG CITY, July 2 – The Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) led the official kick off celebration of the 45th Nutrition Month in the province of Ilocos Norte with the theme, “Kumain nang Wasto at Maging Aktibo…Push Natin ‘to!”.
Headed by Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Elma Irapta, the Nutrition Month opened on Monday, July 1 with a free nutritional assessment and diet counseling, and distribution of portable lactation stations to seven cluster evacuation areas.
In partnership with the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines-Ilocos Norte, the free nutritional and diet counseling is offered to provincial employees to assess dietary intake and keep physical body healthy.
On one hand, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc leads the distribution of breastfeeding station to the towns of Pagudpud, Banna, Pasuquin, Solsona, Batac, Currimao, and the Provincial Government.
This aims to provide appropriate lactation areas during calamities.
“We can provide station so that they will be comfortable to breast feed or so that they will have their privacy,” Irapta said.
Moreover, Irapta underscored the importance of following the food plate guide through the “Pinggang Pinoy,” designed by the National Nutrition Council.
“Pinggang Pinoy” suggests that one plate must consists of Go (rice, bread, corn, oats, sweet potatoes), Grow (fish, egg, chicken, meat), and Glow (vegetables and fruits) foods.
For the provincial government, the new governor shared that health is a top priority under his administration.
“Today, we also celebrate the kick off of Nutrition Month at tamang-tama na ‘yon din po ang rally cry ko: “A healthy Ilocos Norte is a productive Ilocos Norte,” Manotoc expressed.
During his campaign rally, he emphasized the improvement of healthcare centers as his priority in continuing his commitment for a healthy Ilocos Norte. (Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco and Ma. Victoria Yere/PIA 1, Ilocos Norte)
