Simultaneous planting marks Nutrition Month celebration in Naga City

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, July 4 (PIA) -- All 27 barangays of this city simultaneously planted seedlings of eggplant, tomato, horse radish, and malunggay in their respective communal gardens Monday to mark the start of Nutrition Month this year.

The launch of the celebration, with the theme “Pagkain ng Gulay Ugaliin, Araw araw itong Ihain,” was led by the city’s Agriculturist and Nutrition Offices, Department of Education, and the local government.

Edna Bongalonta, OIC city agriculturist, said the simultaneous planting dubbed “ Sabay sabay Pagtanom, Gulay aanihon” aims to provide fresh vegetables to the community, particularly for the consumption of malnourished children in the barangay.

“The produce of the barangays will directly benefit the children, particularly in the upland barangays. This is also in line with the nutrition program of the city to boost their food productivity and ensure that their nutrition needs are nurtured,” Bongalonta said in an interview.

Various programs were also lined up to highlight the said celebration. It includes lecture on the importance of vegetable and vegetable production, radio hopping, and a Nutri quiz for elementary pupils to be spearheaded by the Department of Education.

Streamers were also put up in strategic places in the city, public elementary, and high schools and in every participating barangay to drumbeat the activities lined up for the whole month of July.

Mothers with malnourished children are also invited to attend pre-entrepreneurship training on July 13 at the Metro Peso office.

Children aged 10 to 12 who have a penchant for cooking will also be given anopportunity to be part of the Junior Vegetable Cooking Contest on July 27 at the Naga City People’s Hall.

Part of the highlights of the celebration is the awarding of Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars and selection of 10 Outstanding Barangay Councils (BNC) awardees. Gulayan sa Barangay and Taranoman sa Tamang Nutrisyon contenders will also be adjudged on July 31.

The activity aims to encourage the stakeholders to partake of the city’s program and be a part of the government’s campaign to ensure food security in the community. (MAL/LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)