Bulacan ends Nutrition Month, cites outstanding nutrition committee

CITY OF MALOLOS – The Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) recognized outstanding nutrition committees from 21 towns and three cities in the province and promised to continue the fight against malnutrition during the culminating activity of the celebration of Nutrition Month held at The Hiyas Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city, this afternoon.

With the theme “Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo,” the municipality of Calumpit emerged as the best nutrition committee that showed effective and efficient implementation of nutrition programs while the municipalities of Bulakan and Guiguinto got the second and third places respectively.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado congratulated the winners and even vowed to intensify the campaign against alarming cases of obesity and malnutrition in the province because of the informal settlers from Manila that were transferred in Bulacan.

“Hindi lang sa buwan ng nutrisyon natin pinahahalagahan ang kalusugan ng ating mga mamamayan dahil patuloy ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa pakikiisa ng mga masisipag na pigilan ang pagdami ng kaso ng malnutrisyon at hindi tamang katabaan ng mga Bulakenyo. Dapat nating tandaan na ang malusog na pangangatawan ng mga mamamayan ang isang mahalagang salik sa pag-unlad ng bayan,” Alvarado said.

The governor also revealed that even though the obesity prevalence rate of the province has increased because of the informal settlers from Manila, Bulacan is still the holder of the Regional Green Banner Award for its outstanding efforts in the implementation of nutrition program.

Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar, who is also the chairperson of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee and the event’s guest speaker said in her message delivered by Las Piñas Lone District Cong. Mark Villar that agriculture plays a significant role to improve public health and nutrition by addressing cases of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, which remain as one of the nutritional problems in the Philippines.

“Overweight and obesity increase the risk to different kind of diseases and ang isa sa solusyon na nakikita ko upang malutas iyan ay ang urban vegetable gardening na makatutulong na magkaroon ng easy access at availability sa masustansyang pagkain,” said Cong. Villar in behalf of the senator.

Moreover, Brgy. Malis of Guiguinto, Bulacan was cited as the Outstanding Barangay in Nutrition while Brgy. Taliptip of Bulakan got the 2nd place and Brgy. Balungao of Calumpit landed on the 3rd place.

Ms. Ruby Cabral of Brgy. Balungao, Calumpit was also awarded as the Most Outstanding Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon for her dedication and efforts in implementing nutrition programs in her community.

All winners received plaque of recognition and cash incentives from the PGB.
Prior to this, PSWDO also crowned Jeeny Rose Mediante from the municipality of San Rafael as the Munting Binibining Nutrisyon 2015 while Reanallee Noriega of Norzagaray and Gabriela Carillo of Calumpit were hailed as first and second runners up.

The celebration of Nutrition Month is in accordance to Presidential Decree No. 491 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines that focuses on the nutrition and general health of every Filipinos.