NNC-7 to hold PPAN Service Caravan to celebrate 50th Nutrition month in July

CEBU CITY -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Region VII through the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) will hold a PPAN Service Caravan in celebration of the 50^th Nutrition Month regional launching on July 1, 2024 at the City Wing, SM Seaside City Cebu with the theme, “Sa PPAN: Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat!” (Through PPAN, let’s collaborate on nutrition security for all!)

“NNC7 is encouraging the public to join the regional launching activity and avail the different free nutrition services and show their support to promoting proper nutrition. Every individual has a valuable input in making sure that proper nutrition can be observed in every household which would impact the community as a whole,” NNC7 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Parolita Mission said.

In her opening message at the NNC7 and Media in Nutrition and Development (MIND-7) press conference on June 20, Mission bared that Nutrition month is an annual campaign established in 1974 by Presidential Decree 491, also known as the Nutrition Act of the Philippines and is celebrated every year in July.

This year’s theme, according to Mission focuses on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023–2028 that aims to reduce all forms of malnutrition across all life stages, and includes interventions that focus on healthier diets, better practices, and improved access to quality services.

“As we celebrate Nutrition Month this July, it is the time to remind everyone to focus and choose foods wisely to create a healthy eating routine, with the goal of ensuring nutrition security for all Filipinos and it needs collaborative work to execute the (PPAN) 2023–2028),” Mission added. 

Nutrition Month 2024 highlights and activities

According to Mission, this year’s Nutrition Month in July highlights the different services under PPAN and establishing a branded event for the annual campaign through various activities specifically the launching program of the “PPANalo Service Caravan” where participants get the first-hand experience of the services of the various regional government offices, non-government organizations and other nutrition/health partners.

Kicking start the month-long celebration of the golden jubilee of the Nutrition Month in July is a Holy Mass followed with a stickering campaign of Pinggang Pinoy among various food establishments and the Nutri Jingle Contest.

Included in the various events is the launching of the services of the different government agencies, NGOs and partners that are geared towards the stages and phases of life from pregnancy, infancy, pre and school children, adolescents, adulthood and elderly.

There will also be the Punong Barangay Forum to engage local leaders about PPAN; thematic seminars and in-depth educational sessions on healthier diet and better nutrition practices and the posting of streamers and mass delivery of the Nutrition Month pledge and prayer.

A comprehensive social media campaign is mounted throughout the month to include airing of radio plugs, appearances in various media outlets, and the innovative BNS Nutrition School on Line, all designed to spread awareness and promote better nutritional habits throughout the Central Visayas.

“Through the Nutrition Month celebration, we are promoting the adoption of good nutrition habits; increasing access to high-quality nutrition services and enabling mechanisms and enhancing the consumption of healthier foods with the PPAN 2023–2028 promoting nutrition throughout all life stages.  We call and encourage public-private organizations, business, academe, local government units and families to support PPAN as we promote “Nutrisyon Sapat Para sa Lahat,” Mission concluded. 

(Photos: NNC7 FB/Aichiel Basa)