PGNS sets up Community Pantry as part of Nutrition Month celeb

In celebration of the 47th Nutrition Month, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, led local government units in the setting up of community pantry to benefit disadvantaged families in the province.

The Provincial Health Office through the Provincial Nutrition Action Office (PNAO) led the 2-day community pantry which started on July 21 to July 22, 2021, in front of the Provincial Capitol, Catarman.  The pantry, a partnership activity of the PHO with the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), distributed seedlings, bangus, tilapia, 6 kilos of rice, canned goods, pakbet, sitaw, ampalaya, okra, taron and food packs to pregnant women, lactating mothers, malnourished and street children.  

“Ginpatuman ini inga aktibidad para mas mag-iban an aton malnutrition sa Northern Samar. Ngan magpapadayon iton onwards kay may ada man liwat kita ginsusugad nga First 1000 Days Program,” said Ms. Shirly Alba, OIC PNAO as she facilitated the said event.

The activity is conducted in line with the theme of the Nutrition Month celebration “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 Days Tutukan” and as part of the First 1000 Days of Life (F1KD) Program, a comprehensive program implemented in 12 municipalities in the province which aims to uplift the lives of mothers and children by providing health, nutrition, livelihood and social welfare interventions to their families.

Ms. Alba also added “Kaupod sini nga activity mao an pag-advocate nga an mga nanay nga nagpapasuso magpadayon san ginsusugad nga exclusive breastfeeding sa unom kabulan nga edad sa bata ngan mao na matikang sa ginsusugad nga complementary feeding tikang 6 months onwards aside san pagpadayon nga pagpapasuso.”

A total of 479 lactating mothers and malnourished children benefitted from the 2-day Community Pantry. Held for the first time due to the COVID pandemic, the provincial government decided to mark this year’s Nutrition Month through the Community Pantry to highlight the value of healthy food choices and engaging in farming or agriculture not only for our food needs but also to serve as alternative livelihood especially during public emergency.