DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 5 (PIA) -- Newly-installed Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves pushed for increased agricultural productivity and protein availability in the hinterlands to address malnutrition.

The governor expressed his concern over residents in the hinterlands coming down to the plains to buy food when they could have been selling their produce in the market since upland areas are considered as food baskets.

“If we can increase food production efforts nato sa probinsiya (here in the province), we should target that increase in production so that we can lower food cost and at the same time we should increase protein availability sa bukid (hinterlands)," Teves said in his speech during the flag-raising activity of Capitol officials and employees held June 4 at the Macias Sports Center.

The event also kicked off the province’s observance of National Nutrition Month.

The Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) was the main sponsor of the activity.

“Labaw sa kabataan, bisan unsaon pa nimo og tudlo og ang iyang protein intake gamay nga kinahanglan ang iyang utok ma-develop, mo-bright unta pero dili maabot ang potential kay kulang ang protinyente (No matter how much you teach the kids, if their protein intake is low, their intelligence won’t be sharpened and they cannot reach their full potential),” he said.

Teves aims to bring more agricultural interventions in the uplands such as inland fisheries and livestock raising in partnership with the provincial government’s agricultural offices.

Meanwhile, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion highlighted the various interventions of the provincial government to combat malnutrition, such as the provision of Vitamin A to children, supplementary feeding program for school children aged five years old, and regular deworming for children in the said age groups in communities with high malnutrition rate.

In line with the observance of National Nutrition Month, she reminded her fellow workers in government and the public to practice a healthy lifestyle.

“Everyone is encouraged to eat healthy and (have a) well-balanced diet, maintain active lifestyle, eat fruits and vegetables, avoid alcohol and drugs, and drink plenty of water,” Estacion said.

The flag-raising event and kick-off activity for the local celebration of Nutrition Month culminated with a Zumba session participated by all employees and officials.

This year, the celebration calls for strengthened nutrition interventions and solidarity towards nutrition improvement as the country shifts towards living with the COVID-19 virus through its theme “New normal na nutrisyon, sama-samang gawan ng solusyon!”

Philippine Information Agency and PNC will hold a Kapihan sa PIA forum on July 7 at the Provincial Convention Center to give updates on the nutrition status of the province and other recommendations to improve the delivery of nutrition interventions amid the pandemic. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)