The local government of Valenzuela enjoins stakeholders in the culmination activity of the city's 49th National Nutrition Month celebration. (Photo Courtesy: Valenzuela PIO) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The city government of Valenzuela successfully concluded the celebration of the 49th National Nutrition Month by conducting a culminating activity on Tuesday, August 15. 

City Mayor Wes Gatchalian primarily enjoined its partners from the national government and civil society to sign a statement of commitment towards the establishment of a healthy food community for the children population in Valenzuela, following the filing of Ordinance No. 101-2023 which aims to prohibit the child-directed marketing of harmful food products. 

“We’ll promote healthy choices in schools, universities, food vendors, and commercial establishments. What’s important here is to regulate… Sa pamamagitan ng Ordinance no. 101-2023, ika-counter natin ang mga advertisements na nakikita natin to promote a healthy environment lalong lalo na sa mga paaralan,” said Gatchalian, noting the dedication of the local government to implement this initiative despite the challenges that may arise. 

Public interest group ImagineLaw, one of the partners of Valenzuela in the promotion of a healthy food environment for children, has commended the city government’s thrust to curb the mass proliferation of unhealthy eating habits by pushing for the said ordinance. 

“Namamangha kami sa political will na ipinapamalas ng inyong gobyerno para lubos na maprotektahan ang inyong mga chikiting. Dito sa Valenzuela, gagawin nang bawal ang mga advertising na sadyang mapanlinlang at nag-uudyok sa ating mga kabataan na kumain ng unhealthy foods na sobra-sobra sa asin, asukal, taba, at iba pang kemikal na hindi natin alam (We admire the political will of Valenzuela City in protecting the children. Here in Valenzuela, the advertisement of deceptive and misleading content that urges the children to eat unhealthy foods which contain too much salt, sugar, fats, and other chemicals will now be regulated),” said ImagineLaw Executive Director Atty. Sophia San Luis. 

Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) also hosted a children’s fair and an awarding ceremony to recognize the winners of the “Healthy Diet Promotion Contest for Children and by Children.” 

The participants of the competition were composed of children aged 7 to 18 years old who were tasked to design a promotional material that calls for collaborative advocacy in terms of facilitating healthy eating habits along with the theme “Healthy Lifestyle, Gawing Viral!.” 

The 2023 National Nutrition Month celebration of the Valenzuela City government was done in partnership with the National Nutrition Council (NNC), ImagineLaw, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (Valenzuela PIO/PIA-NCR)