CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) – The National Nutrition Council Region 3 (NNC 3) is intensifying its advocacy on food and nutrition security as the country celebrates Nutrition Month this July.
Anchored on the theme “Food and Nutrition Security gawing Priority! Sapat na Pagkain Karapatan natin!,” the campaign aims to remind stakeholders of the urgent need to ensure that every Filipino, especially those in vulnerable sectors, has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
“Nutrition Month is a reminder that food and nutrition security is not just a personal goal, but a collective responsibility. We celebrate this to highlight the importance of securing access to adequate and nutritious food for all,” NNC 3 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ana Maria B. Rosaldo emphasized.
She explained that food security means not only having enough food, but ensuring it is safe, accessible, and nourishing, especially for children, pregnant and lactating women, older persons, and other at-risk groups.
As part of its call to action, Rosaldo urged families to be proactive in addressing food insecurity in their homes by maximizing available resources through proper meal planning, and choosing affordable but nutritious food options.
“For example, a one-dish meal like sinigang or pinakbet is both nutritious and practical because it already contains vegetables and protein. Households can also grow food in their backyards like papaya trees or malunggay to support a more balanced diet,” she added.
Rosaldo also encouraged national government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), schools, and private institutions to help push forward the campaign against hunger and malnutrition.
“It’s not only the NNC or the Department of Agriculture that is responsible for food and nutrition. Agencies like the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Information Agency, all play a role in spreading awareness on nutrition-related services. Everyone has a stake,” she said.
The NNC 3 is also promoting tools like the “Pinggang Pinoy,” a visual food guide that helps individuals plan balanced meals, and encourages adherence to the Ten Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos, commonly known as the Ten Kumainments.
Rosaldo likewise encourages communities, schools, NGOs, and local government units to organize their own Nutrition Month activities that promote healthy eating, food sustainability, and simple efforts like community gardening, cooking demonstrations, and school feeding programs that can create long term impact. (MJSC/MAGP, PIA Region 3 – Pampanga GIP)
