NNC aims affordable healthy diet for all

CEBU, Philippines — As the Philippines is experiencing food insecurity wherein 68.6 percent of Filipinos or about 75.2 million cannot afford a healthy diet in 2020, the National Nutrition Council-7 recently announced that for this year’s Nutrition Month campaign it carries the theme, “Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable For All.”

The 2023 Nutrition Month campaign aims to raise awareness on supporting Filipinos improve access to affordable healthy diets to reduce malnutrition, improve food security, health and quality of life.

The campaign will also help make people distinguish between nutritious and unhealthy food using a variety of observations to make healthier eating choices.

The campaign also urges the food industry, which includes producers, distributors, retailers, and restaurants, to offer healthier food options and the consumers to demand for healthier food.

In order to raise Filipino’s knowledge of the importance of nutrition, Presidential Decree 491 was signed. It also mandates the nutrition month to be observed every July each year. According to the said law, the NNC shall coordinate the activities of this annual national campaign.

The Nutrition Month celebration has been an institutionalized activity overtime by local government entities, educational institutions and other stakeholders. The campaign’s nutrition goal is to raise public awareness about the value of nutrition, focusing on a theme that will respond to the current nutrition challenge the country is facing.

NNC-7 said that the passage of national and local legislation and policies to provide a supportive environment for healthy eating is another crucial component of nutrition month observance.

This means that these legislative activities support in making healthy foods inexpensive and accessible to individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds. —/GMR (FREEMAN)