The activity signalled the commencement of the nationwide nutrition month campaign this July as mandated by Presidential Decree 491 with the theme, “Healthy diet gawing affordable for ALL.”
Assistant Secretary Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, NNC Executive Director who led the national launch in a press conference said that the theme focuses on the calls for concerted actions to increase access of Filipinos to more affordable and healthier diets to reduce all forms of malnutrition and improve food security, health, and quality of life.
“We are really focusing on the policies and guidelines para maka-call for action ta ug support gikan sa atong mga legislators nga makapasa sila ug mga balaod or mga palisiya nga kinahanglan affordable na ang atong mga diets,” Dayanghirang said.
The national launch served as a valuable platform for stakeholders to come together, showcase and share their programs and initiatives to improve food security in the country, and collaborate in empowering Filipinos to have greater access to affordable and healthier diets.
Among the highlights of the event were pledges of commitment and messages of support from the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement network in the academe, business, civil society, and development partners to contribute to the campaign on affordable and healthy diets.
Apart from the launching, a Nutrition month healthy diet exhibit was also held which was participated by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry and the 23 barangays in Tagum City.
The exhibit showcases the effort of the government and other stakeholders in achieving affordable healthy diets.
The Tagum City Nutrition Committee led by its chair Mayor Rey Uy, served as the local host government unit for this year’s national launch.