As the Nutrition Month ends, the City Nutrition Office of Panabo reiterated its advocacy on food gardening as viable solution against malnutrition.

In this year’s celebration of the 44th Nutrition Month, the National Nutrition Council anchored its campaign on “Ugaliing magtanim, sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin.”
According to City Nutrition Officer Lovella Fontanilla, food gardening will not only minimize the prevalence of malnutrition but will also become an avenue to generate income for families.
Likewise, Luz Elda P. Ramos, Institutional Development Section Chief of Department of Agriculture XI promoted the importance of eating healthy and avoiding packaged or processed foods as the latter contributes to health complications.
City Mayor Engr. James G. Gamao, through his representative, Michael Angelo Resueño further encouraged to continue this advocacy as an investment to our future generation.
“Let us continue to advocate this cause and understand that our children’s good health is an investment for a better Panabo City,” Resueño said.
Meanwhile, the celebration ended with a Squash Recipe Contest, Nutri Dance Contest, and Poster-Making Contest attended by Vice Mayor Janrey “Biboy” Gavina, City Councilor and City Nutrtition Action Officer Emmanuel “Mawe” Pamisaran, partner NGOs, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
In a separate radio interview, Fontanilla announced that through the food gardening project Gulayan sa Paaralan Program and combined efforts of the City Nutrition Office, City Social Welfare Office, and NGOs, it aided in the reduction of malnutrition rate in the city.
This year, underweight children dropped to 3.38% from 4.39% last year; stunted children reduced to 9.92% this year; and wasted children is now 2.74% from 4.98% last year.
By Vikki J. Amorio – CIO Panabo