NNC-Bicol promotes urban gardening

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay NAGA CITY --- Celebrating the 44th Nutrition Month, the Bicol regional Office of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) has called on local residents to engage in backyard gardening to ensure that nutritious food are on their dining table. This, according to NNC Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Arlene R. Reario, is aimed at improving the country’s food and nutrition security by increasing the community’s access to “diversified sources of food for their families.” In a message delivered by Reario during the NNC regional launching Monday last week at the Naga City People’s Hall here, she lamented the fact that high incidence of malnutrition is evident in urban areas and pockets of malnutrition are mostly found in the cities. “There is an unfortunate large number of malnourished kids in urban areas. Poverty is higher so we are going to focus our intensive campaign in those areas. Backyard gardening will ensure that the veggies are fresh. The homegrown produce would also mean additional income to the families,” Reario added. The NNC chose to conduct the regional launching of the National Nutrition Month here in partnership with the city government of Naga, citing the laudable nutrition programs of the city under the stewardship of Mayor John Bongat. Last year, the Naga City Population and Nutrition Office (CPNO) bagged the Hall of Fame award from NNC for consistently pursuing its nutrition and health programs and maintaining its Nutrition Honor award for several years. This year, 23 barangays from the city participated in the competition for the best booth with the most beautiful and bountiful display of vegetables, fruits, grains and other produce. After the simple but significant ceremony, members of the Regional Nutrition Committee from various regional offices, barangay officials and members of the city nutrition council joined in the planting of vegetable seedlings in Barangay San Felipe, this city. The theme “Ugaliing Magtanim, Sapat na nutrisyon aanihin” Reario stated, also seeks to promote the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 to address malnutrition in the country.