NNC hosts 8th Regional Nutrition Congress, Grand Awards

By Hazel F. Gloria

Friday 3rd of August 2012

CEBU CITY, Aug 3 (PIA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) hosted today the 8th Regional Nutrition Action Officers�€™ (NAO) Congress and 2012 Grand Nutrition Awards (GNA) at the City Sports Club Cebu, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.

Dr. Parolita Mission, nutrition program coordinator of NNC Region 7, said the regional congress which is now on its 8th year is held simultaneously with the regional nutrition awarding ceremony.

The activity aims to convene all the NAO from the provincial, city, municipal down to the barangay level. It also seeks to impart useable information to the attending NAO with regards to better management and understanding of themselves and the nutrition program, she added.

About 400 NAOs from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor attended the annual event in the region.

The guest of honor during the event is Rep. Teddy Casiño Jr. of Bayan Muna Partylist who is the proponent of House Bill 6311 which seeks to institutionalize �€œmeatless Monday�€� and promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyle among Filipinos.

Meatless Monday is an international campaign that encourages people to not eat meat on Mondays to improve their health and the health of the planet. Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic non-communicable and preventable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity and mitigate the effects of global warming.

Newly-elected Nutrition Action Officers of the Philippines Association �€" Central Visayas (NAOPA�€"CV) President Dr. Ma. Elizabeth Sedillo gave the opening remarks while Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) Chair and Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-7 Regional Director Asuncion M. Anden delivered the keynote address.

The 2012 GNA will cap the whole-day event. This awarding activity aims to recognize exemplary performing local government units with regards to nutrition program implementation, distinguish good nutrition projects/practices by local government units in the region and bestows the regional outstanding barangay Nutrition Scholars trophy and honor the unsung heroes of nutrition.

This 8th Regional NAO Congress and 2012 GNA serves as the culminating events of the month-long observance of the 38th Nutrition Month this July 2012.

This year�€™s event was organized by NNC 7 and the RNC in partnership with the NAOPA�€"CV. (RMN/HFG-PIA7)