KAPANGAN, Benguet – The local government of Kapangan has raised funds for its program to help 29 malnourished kids in the municipality with its conduct of the first invitational car show on weekend.
Close to 50 car and motorcycle show enthusiasts supported the event which is the brainchild of the Kapangan Municipal Nutrition Council in partnership with the Municipal Tourism Office.
“In this time of pandemic, we know that public funds are being allocated for the Covid-19 response, while private donors have been spending a lot to augment the government that’s why the concerned offices thought of having the first invitational car show for-a-cause and we thanked those who supported our call,” said Mayor Manny Fermin.
The event saw the display of well-customized and stock set-up vehicles and motorcycles.
Among those who joined the event came from Baguio such as a team of Councilor Michael Lawana.
Funds were raised from the registration fee of P500 for special utility vehicles, off-road cars, pick-up, and AUVs, and P300 for motorcycle entries.
Special certificates were given to the winners per category while each participant received a certificate of registration for supporting the cause.
As a precaution, Covid-19 health protocols such as wearing of face mask, observance of physical distancing, and hygiene were strictly observed during the event.
Fermin said the municipal government is initiating programs and projects to reach out to malnourished children in the municipality, saying the event is also in support of the observance of the Nutrition Month.
Malnourished children are those who are underweight or overweight or suffering from wasting or stunting.
Based on the 2018 survey of the National Nutrition Council-Cordillera, cases of stunting in Kapangan, Kibungan, and La Trinidad posted a stunting prevalence rate between 15.77 to 19.05 percent, or higher than the regional target of 11.58 percent or below.
That year, NNC-Cordillera has launched the “Operation Timbang,” an annual weight and height measurement of all preschoolers 0 to 71 months old or below six years old to identify and locate the malnourished children in each province in the region.
This would allow health personnel to provide vitamins and mineral supplements to the children.
NNC-CAR has advised parents to make sure their children eat a balanced diet with vegetables to combat malnutrition. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 24, 2024
