Nutrition Month is an annual event held every July in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 491 known as the Nutrition Act of the Philippines which created the National Nutrition Council (NNC). The NNC coordinates the nationwide celebration and Lila Municipal Nutrition Council adopt this said national celebration. For a healthy start for the Nutrition Month 2013 celebration, a “Walk for a Cause” activity was conducted last July 5,2013. It has two assembly points, Punta Calingan, Macalingan and waiting shed of Purok Molave, Catugasan, Lila.
The participants assembled at five o’clock in the morning, at Barangay Catugasan, it was headed by the municipal doctor, Dra. Deo Madelon C. Blanes coordinated by Punong Barangay Melchor Lapac and drum corp of Holy Rosary Academy, and at Barangay Macalingan led by the municipal nutrition action officer – nurse II, Adelfa M. Tagaytay coordinated by Punong Barangay Miguel Pagsiat and drum corp of Lila National High School. It was participated by the members of the Sanguniang Bayan, Local Government Unit regular and casual employees, teachers, barangay officials, barangay health workers and active Lilanians.
All the participants gathered in the Lila Gymnasium to attend the short program which was formally opened with a prayer led by the master of ceremony Mr. Lucino Tagab. Hon. Mayor Regina Cahiles Salazar made the Opening Remarks in her inspirational message, she encouraged everybody to uplift life by maintaining a healthy body. She believed that “health is wealth” , eat plenty of vegetables which is affordable by everybody. Being physically fit will make us more productive and useful in our community. But of course, camaraderie is also important in accomplishing our goals and attaining our dreams. Moreover she emphasized that all of us should help each other achieve the best of health.
Dra. Deo Madelone Blanes talked on the 10 NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES for Filipinos to combat the theme “Gutom at Malnutriyon ay Sama-sama Nating Wakasan“. She help the Lilanians realize how important to have a healthy life style in order to increase our resistance from any illness. The following are included in the dietary guidelines for Filipinos: (1) eat a variety of foods everyday to get the nutrients needed by the body; (2) breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to 6 months then give appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond for optimum growth and development; (3) attain normal body weight through proper diet and moderate physical activity to maintain good health and help prevent obesity; (4) consume fish, lean meat, poultry egg, dried beans or nuts daily for growth and repair of body tissues; (5) eat more vegetables and fruits everyday to get the essential vitamins, minerals and fiber for regulation of body processes; (6) limit intake of salty, fried, fatty and sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases; (7) consume milk, milk products and other calcium-rich foods, such as small fish and shellfish everyday for healthy bones and teeth; (8) use iodized salt to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorders; (9) consume safe foods and water to prevent diarrhea and other food and water-borne diseases; and (10) be physically active, make healthy food choices, manage stress, avoid alcoholic beverages and do not smoke to help prevent lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases.
The activity was glowed with intermission numbers presented by the teachers of Holy Rosary Academy, Association of Barangay Captains and teachers of Lila National High School. Hon. Kagawad Ermaline Dahiroc thanking everyone who participated the said activity in her closing remarks. Then it was ended with a zumba number headed by Ms. Adelfa Tagaytay.
