On June 30, the local government of Los Baños launched the activities for the 40^th Nutrition Month celebration themed Kalamidad ay Paghandaan, Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan during the flag ceremony held at the new Municipal Hall grounds.

Ms. Reyes (fourth from left) was awarded a Certificate of Recognition during the launching of the Nutrition Month celebration (Photo courtesy of the Los Baños Public Information Office).

Dr. Maria D. Cerezo, the nutrition officer of Los Baños, stressed the importance of increased awareness and higher level of preparedness among Los Baños residents to prevent hunger and worsening of malnutrition cases during calamities.

Dr. Cerezo enjoined all community stakeholders, especially the local government units, non-government organizations, and funding agencies, to put greater premium on nutrition when planning and preparing for calamities and disasters.

The nutrition officer also shared that this year’s nutrition month theme was an entry from Los Baños. Dr. Cerezo explained that the theme entry submitted by Desiree P. Reyes, a dietician at HealthServ, bested about 400 other entries from different parts of the country. Ms. Reyes was recognized during the launching ceremonies.

Dr. Cerezo invited everyone especially the schools and various institutions to take part in activities to be held this July:

• July 1. Motorcade
• July 7. Provincial launching of Nutrition Month celebration in Sta. Cruz, Laguna Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Convention at the Sta. Cruz Cultural Center in Sta. Cruz, Laguna
• July 8-29. Pabasa sa Nutrisyon in Los Baños barangays
• July  (2^nd Week).  Food Production and Home and Community Garden Contest in all Los Baños barangays
• July 17. Presentation of the Los Baños nutrition situation during the sessions of the federation of barangay captains
• July 28. Nutrition Corner Contest in all barangays of Los Baños
• July 29. Nutrition Jingle Contest at the Municipal Covered Court, Level 1 Department of Education (Elementary); Level 2 Daycare Children Center and Rural Improvement Club Children Center
• July 30. Lecture on nutrition emergencies for affected families in lakeshore barangays at the Los Baños Nutrition Office Culminating activities for the Nutrition Month 2014 at the Municipal Covered Court

For inquiries, contact the Los Baños Nutrition Office at 0916 220 7319.