BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The National Nutrition Council - Cordillera (NNC-CAR) is enjoining everyone to support the new normal nutrition as celebration of the Nutrition Month    kicked off   on July 1 through the 2022 Nutrition Month Webinar Series.
 
With the theme "New Normal na Nutrisyon, Sama-samang Gawan ng Solusyon", the Nutrition Month campaign aims to raise awareness on the importance of nutrition in building resilience and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aims to encourage discussions among stakeholders on how to build back better the design, delivery, and scale - up of nutrition interventions and engage various sectors and the public in activities that promote nutrition.
 
NNC-CAR OIC Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Bella Basalong said that this year's campaign aims to drive key messages for call to action among stakeholders.
 
"This pertains to the importance of nutrition to improve an individual's resistance against diseases, and at the same time, improve nutrition, the recovery of family, community, and the nation will be supported," Basalong stated.
 
It is important to have a healthy diet, and to preserve and promote proper nutrition by incorporating it to the pandemic resilience strategies, she noted.
 
Basalong also emphasized the need for continued solidarity, multi-sectoral engagements and improved governance to be able to attain nutritional outcomes.

"Because of the pandemic, our solutions to end malnutrition need to have a resilience lens so that when pandemic or similar shocks will occur in the future, Filipinos are able to bounce back and recover quickly," she said.
 
She added that the local officials and members of the local nutrition committees must ensure the continued and scaled-up delivery of nutrition services.
 
To scale up nutrition actions, the NNC is set to launch the Regional Scaling Up Nutrition Movement, in partnership with non-governmental organizations, private sector, and the academe.

Among the activities lined up for Nutrition Month in Cordillera are the Regional Nutrition Month Launch (July 7), Nutri-song Contest for Local Nutrition Committees (July 4-24), Nutrition Month Webinar Series (July 1 and 19), DOH-CAR Nutrition Caravan (July 23), Nutrition Quiz on Air in two radio stations, and the Nutrition Month Virtual Culminating Program (July 29).
 
Presidential Decree 491 issued in 1974 declared July as the National Nutrition Month to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition among Filipinos. The law mandates the NNC to coordinate and lead the nationwide campaign. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)