NNC marks 51st Nutrition Month

CEBU, Philippines — The regional office of the National Nutrition Council (NNC-7) launched the 51st Nutrition Month celebration, calling for stronger efforts to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in Central Visayas yesterday in Barangay Cogon Ramos, Cebu City.

The NNC-7 emphasized that this year’s celebration is focused on pushing food and nutrition as a basic right—not a privilege.

The agency urged communities, local governments, and national partners to step up in addressing the region’s nutrition concerns.

NNC-7 regional nutrition program coordinator, Dr. Parolita Mission, said that Central Visayas currently has a 7.2 percent sampling rate of malnutrition. She said this figure, while lower than previous years, still represented over 58,000 children.

“Bisag reduced ni siya, dili mi complacent because this is equivalent to [over] 58,000 children,” she said.

Mission identified Negros Oriental as the most challenged province in the region. Cebu Province followed closely, ranking second across all key indicators.

She said the leading issues include stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight among children. Mission described these as long-standing concerns that require urgent and coordinated action.

She added that NNC-7 is in the middle of reviewing the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). Their goal is to lower all malnutrition indicators by at least 1 percent.

Mission urged local government units to support nutrition initiatives by crafting enabling policies and allocating sufficient budgets. She said political commitment at the local level plays a vital role in ensuring program success.

She also highlighted the need for more manpower at the municipal level. She noted that many towns need nutrition action officers who can monitor and implement programs effectively.

In addressing the growing problem of overweight and obesity, Mission said NNC-7 is actively working with food industry players in which they're calling for the reformulation of processed food products to reduce fat, salt, and sugar content.

Mission also called on parents to model healthy eating at home.

"I'm challenging our mothers, our family members, and caregivers in particular to practice healthy eating yourselves, because you'll serve as role models to your children," she said.

She expressed optimism following support from newly elected officials.

According to Mission, both Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro and Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival have pledged full backing for NNC-7’s programs.

To formally open the month-long campaign, NNC-7 held a community caravan across major roads in Cebu City.

The caravan gathered nutrition advocates, health workers, and barangay officials.

After the caravan, a service fair was held at the Cogon Ramos gym in Cebu City.

Residents received free health consultations, diet counseling, and wellness services from government and partner agencies.

The 51st Nutrition Month will run throughout the month of July, with various community-based programs.

NNC-7 is hoping that the campaign will spark policy action and inspire families to make healthier food choices. — CNU Intern Raphael Veloso/JG (FREEMAN)