A joint program with the launching of July as nutrition month and culminating ceremonies of the Renal Disease Control Program (Redcop) shall be conducted tomorrow during the flag raising ceremonies at the City Hall grounds.

A diet counseling center and agri-livelihood trade fair shall also be launched at the Health Services Office along T. Alonzo Street after the ceremonies.

The counseling center and trade fair are under the supervision of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center; Nutrition and Dietetics Association of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet Chapter; health districts of Loakan, City Camp, and Pacdal; Department of Agriculture; Department of Trade and Industry; Benguet State University; and City Veterinary Office.

The launching program for nutrition shall showcase the theme: “Sa wastong nutrisyon ni mommy, siguradong healthy si baby,” with Health Services Office-Baguio Health Department head Dr. Florence Reyes initiating the talking points as to the activities.

Other activities which include information and educational campaigns, healthy infants and children programs, and barangay and school-based nutrition month activities would also be announced by nutrition officer Angelita Sabado. Guest speaker Dr. Concesa Bacamante-Padilla, a pediatric nephrologist at the Saint Louis Hospital of the Sacred Heart, shall speak on her field of specialization.

As in the past years, promotion of healthy habits would take center stage in the celebrations, which includes nutrition education, micronutrient supplementation, healthy lifestyle, maternal care during and after child birth, breastfeeding, immunization, and growth monitoring.

The importance of ingesting the proper food and amounts corresponding to the prescribed food pyramid is also being emphasized in all the programs; as with having a daily exercise regimen, and avoidance of smoking and excessive drinking.

The celebration is also in line with the memorandum received from League of Cities of the Philippines officer-in-charge Elisea Gozun dated May 13 for a review of the city nutrition plan to reduce maternal mortality and under nutrition for children and adults.

Gozun also stated in her memorandum that a local legislation may be proposed to increase funding allocation for year-long nutrition projects and activities. Nutrition should be an “important aspect of local governance in the city, every day of the year,” Gozun added.