The NNC block time radio program Radyo Mo sa Nutrisyon won Best Radio Public Service Program award during the 21st Golden Dove Awards besting two other finalists, ABS-CBN- DZMM’s Aksyon Ngayon and ABC/Nation Broadcasting’s Alerto sa Sakuna. The prestigious award was presented by the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas during the awarding night on 26 April 2013 at the Star Theater in Pasay City. The award was received by NNC Executive Director and Assistant Secretary of Health Maria-Bernardita T. Flores, Ms. Mackay Quadra, Managing Director of MQ MediaZone Productions, NNC’s partner for this project, and Mr. Rod Marcelino , broadcaster of DZXL. According to Asec. Flores during the awarding, “The honor bestowed on Radyo Mo sa Nutrisyon as Best Radio Public Service Program serves as an inspiration to the NNC family to continue to work harder to bring more correct, current and relevant information about nutrition to the Filipino people.”
Radyo Mo sa Nutrisyon is a 30-minute block time nutrition radio program aired over DZXL 558 kHz AM every Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. A/Sec Flores anchors the program with radio broadcaster Rod Marcelino. Radyo Mo sa Nutrisyon discusses issues about nutrition, health and development. Technical resource persons are invited to provide expert information on topics ranging from breastfeeding, vegetable consumption, poverty alleviation programs of the government and related issues.
Radyo Mo sa Nutrisyon was also a finalist in last year’s Catholic Mass Media Awards for Best Public Service Program and KBP Golden Dove Awards for Best Educational Program. Radyo Mo sa Nutrisyon’s Year 4 will resume airing on May 4 over DZXL on the same time slot.
17 April 2013 – Awarding of Certificate of Completion of Quality Assurance and Quality Control to Arvin International Marketing Inc.- Calaca, Batangas Branch.
Arvin International Marketing Inc. was the first salt industry player in the Philippines that was awarded with certificate of quality assurance and quality control on salt iodization from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the Department of Science and Technology. The award is an evidence that the company is doing quality management for excellence in the field of salt iodization which showcases its dedication and engagement to ensure the quality of its iodized salt.
10-12 April 2013 – Field Visit of the Technical Working Group on the National Salt Iodization Program to the Pacific Farms, Inc. as part of its meeting held in Islandia Alaminos Hotel, Alaminos City.
Consistent with the intent of understanding the dynamics and realities on the ground, the second meeting of the Technical Working Group of the National Salt Iodization Program for 2013 was held in the Province of Pangasinan since it is one of the salt-producing areas in the Philippines. The meeting included visits to Pacific Farms Inc., and public markets, sari-sari stores, food service establishments, health centers, bakery and households in the municipalities of Dasol and Bolinao.
It’s full speed ahead for the new Nutriskwela Community Radio Stations! After the conduct of the hands-on training on community radio broadcasting, the ten new radio stations will immediately have their inaugural broadcast as the National Telecommunications Commission has granted the NNC the necessary licenses to operate the stations. To date, seven of the ten radio stations are now on air and broadcasting. These are:
1. Radyo Kauswagan, DYNF-FM 91.3, Eastern Samar State University, Borongan City, Eastern Samar
2. Radyo Kalamboan, DXNE-FM 94.3, Tubod, Lanao del Norte
3. Radyo Kaunlaran, DZNI-FM 99.7,
5. Radyo Kahimsog, DYNE-FM 97.5, Cebu Technological University, Barili,
7. Radyo Kaamigo, DZNJ-FM 98.9, Catanduanes State Colleges, Panganiban, Catanduanes on 1-5 April
The other three radio stations are also scheduled to conduct the hands-on training followed immediately by inaugural broadcasts. These are:
1. Basco, Batanes on 8-12 April
2. Lagangilang, Abra on 15-18 April
3. Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte on 21-26 April
The hands-on training on community radio broadcasting is part of the capacity building aspect of the Nutriskwela Community Radio Network Program. The NNC provides the equipment and training while the partner local government unit or state university and college manages and maintains the station and provides the broadcast personnel as well. During the training, the community radio council is also organized. The multi-sectoral radio council is expected to manage the station in coordination with the station personnel.
The national Nutrition Evaluation Team (NET) had its pre-departure orientation on 15 March marking the start of this year’s validation visits to the contenders of the Nutrition Honor Award, and Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Second and First Year Maintenance Awards.
Four (4) local government units (LGUs) vie for this year’s Nutrition Honor Award (NHA). These are the provinces of Bulacan, South Cotabato, the municipality of Tubigon, Bohol and the city of Ozamiz. These LGUs will be visited by the interagency NET to assess whether the management of nutrition projects had been effective and sustained for the last three years and have resulted in the continuous reduction of undernutrition and overnutrition among preschool children and school children.
The NET will also visit 12 LGUs vying for the following awards from March to June 2013:
“Why Not?”, the National Nutrition Council’s TV show for promoting proper nutrition among children is now on its Phase 2 and will premiere on 16 March, Saturday at 8:00 a.m.. Join Bot (Nash Aguas) and Vi (Kelly Nakanishi) as they embark on new and exciting adventures together with new characters Pepito (Maliksi Morales) and Marie (Brenna Garcia). Watch “Why Not?” to better understand the importance of good nutrition, proper eating and health practices, and the nutritional importance of various food commodities as components of a healthy diet.
“Why Not?” is an Anak TV Seal Awardee for 2011 and 2012 and was recognized “Child- Friendly TV Program” by the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), the Department of Education and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in 2012.
Don’t fail to catch the first episode “Why Not Coconut?” of Why Not? (Phase 2) this Saturday, 16 March over ABS-CBN Channel 2.
5-7 March 2013, Makati City -- the NNC held the Refresher Course on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) IYCF Counselling and Community Support with Gender Concerns. The 36 participants included the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators, Nutrition Officers III and other technical staff from the regional offices and in the Central Office of NNC. The refresher course aimed to prepare the NNC regional staff for the conduct of roll out trainings on IYCF counselling and community support with gender concerns at the provincial, city and municipal levels. Inclusion of topic on gender and nutrition aimed to contribute to the reduction of gender disparities in nutrition in general and in IYCF practices in particular. The activity also supports NNC’s gender and development plan for 2013.
The refresher course included discussion on the steps in mobilizing community support for IYCF with reference to the “Guide on Mobilizing Community Support for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Program” developed by NNC as part of the MDGF-2030 UN Joint Programme on Child Security and Nutrition. Participants also had session on the use of the IYCF counseling cards.
The NNC Technical Committee approved the Nutrition Month theme for 2013, "Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan!," during its meeting on 12 February 2013. The theme underscore the need for concerted multi-stakeholder actions to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
The 2013 NM celebration aims to increase awareness on hunger issues and actions that need to be done to mitigate hunger; encourage governement agencies, non-government organiztaions, private sector, civil society organizations, and communities to contribute to addressing hunger issues; and advocate for stronger political action to end hunger. Plans for the celebration of the NM 2013 were also presented to the TechCom which included the nationwide simultaneous launching on 1 July; concert to raise awareness on ending hunger summit or high-level forum.
Congratulations! On 11 February 2013, newly promoted and appointed personnel took their oath of office before Executive Director IV and Assistant Secretary of Health Maria-Bernardita T. Flores. The ceremony was held at the NNC Conference room and witnessed by NPC Carina Z. Santiago of NNC-CALABARZON as Member of the Personnel Selection Board and other NNC employees. In their oath, they swore to perform their jobs to the best of their ability, to always uphold the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and to pursue the best interest of the Filipino people. They are the following:
| 1. Ms. Chona M. Fernandez (promotion) |
| Administrative Officer V and Chief, Administrative Division |
| 2. Ms. Jovita B. Raval (promotion) |
| Nutrition Officer V and Chief, Nutrition Information and Education Division |
| 3. Ms. Hygeia Ceres Catalina B. Gawe (promotion) |
| Nutrition Officer V and Chief, Nutrition Surveillance Division |
| 4. Ms.Agrifina M. De Villa (promotion) |
| Administrative Officer V, Administrative Division - Cash Unit |
| 5. Ms. Normelinda N. Cortez (new appointee) |
| Administrative Officer V, Administrative Division - Personnel Section |
| 6. Mr. Bonifacio T. Balazon (promotion) |
| Administrative Aide VI, Nutrition Surveillance Division |
The 2000 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) was updated in 2012 and adopted by the National Nutrition Council Governing Board through Board Resolution No. 6 Series of 2012 during its meeting on 31 October 2012.
The 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos includes these ten messages:
1. Eat a variety of foods everyday to get the nutrients needed by the body.
2. Breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to 6 months then give appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond for optimum growth and development.
3. Eat more vegetables and fruits everyday to get the essential vitamins, minerals and fiber for regulation of body processes.
4. Consume fish, lean meat, poultry, egg, dried beans or nuts daily for growth and repair of body tissues.
5. Consume milk, milk products and other calcium-rich foods, such as small fish and shellfish, everyday for healthy bones and teeth.
6. Consume safe foods and water to prevent diarrhea and other food and water-borne diseases.
7. Use iodized salt to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorders.
8. Limit intake of salty, fried, fatty and sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
9. Attain normal body weight through proper diet and moderate physical activity to maintain good health and help prevent obesity.
10. Be physically active, make healthy food choices, manage stress, avoid alcoholic beverages and do not smoke to help prevent lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases.
Katumbas ay Biyaya Season 7 is a 30-minute radio program that tackles nutrition and health related topics. The program airs on DZRH every Saturday, 10:30 - 11:00 am.
