CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The National Nutrition Council (NNC)-10, in partnership with the provincial government of Misamis Oriental, led the 2023 Joint Regional and Provincial Nutrition Month launching with the theme, "Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All!"

Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, RND, MDM, nutrition program coordinator of National Nutrition Council-10, shared that about 75 million Filipinos cannot afford a healthy diet.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, it is estimated that a family of five needs P400 a day for their basic needs. This is not limited to food alone but includes clothing and shelter. But there is another survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization showing that the cost of a healthy diet in 2020 will be P243.50 per person per day.

"Kung naay five ka miyembro sa family, so need nila og P1,212 per day for their food alone to buy healthy food. Ang minimum wage dinhi sa Misamis Oriental for non-agriculture is below P500, so kulang jud. Kulang ang budget to buy healthy food and basic needs," Fernandez said.

(If there are five members of a family, they would need P1,212 per day to buy healthy food. The minimum wage here in Misamis Oriental for non-agriculture is below P500, so it is not enough. The budget is not enough to buy healthy food and basic needs)

Meanwhile, Dr. Israel L. Peralta Jr., Officer-In-Charge Provincial Health Office, Misamis Oriental Province, said through the Universal Health Care (UHC), health has become promotive.

"We already have started the efforts that health is no longer curative; in fact, it has moved to rehabilitative, kung mastroke ka dapat ka marehab aron ka makatrabaho (if you have gone through a stroke, you must undergo rehab to get back to work)," Dr. Peralta said.

He added that it has moved to preventive health, but more importantly, it has moved to promotive health. Nutrition is a very big part of that. Promotive health is teaching everybody to be part of their own health.

Further, the provincial government of Misamis Oriental has implemented programs that support nutrition in every household.

"Ang pangagamhanan sa probinsya, naghan-ay og mga programa, nga naglaraw na mahimong abot-kaya, ang pirming available ang mga masustansyang pagkaon sa matag panimalay. Una niini ang food always in the home kun FAITH," Jigjag Pelaez, vice governor of Misamis Oriental, said.

(The provincial government laid down programs that aim to make food within reach and ensure that nutritious food will always be available in every household. One is the Food Always in the Home, otherwise known as FAITH)

The launch included the unveiling of the 2023 Nutrition Month tarpaulin, the Pledge of Commitment and Message of Support, and the Farmer’s Market Fair Ribbon-cutting. (JMOR/PIA-10)