The provincial government of Iloilo celebrated the 49th Nutrition Month Celebration on July 10, 2023, by highlighting the local cuisine of the Indigenous People (IP) community.
This year’s celebration has a sub-theme, “Mga Katutubo sa Nutrisyon, Kayo ang Bida Ngayon.”
Members of the Panay Bukidnon and the Camiros Ati Tribe Organization from the five districts showcased their skills during the indigenous recipe cooking contest conducted at the Capitol lobby.
The meals were judged based on palatability, originality, nutritional value, presentation, ease of preparation, and cost efficiency.
Thelma Tagacay from Brgy. Victoria, Tubungan won first place for her menu Ginat-an nga Balingkokok kag Itlog sang Tikling. Balingkokok is an edible snail that is usually found in buri plants. Tikling is a local term for buff-banded railbirds.
Winning second place is Renato Segura of Brgy. Tina-an Norte, Leon. He cooked Guinisa nga Kadupdup (wood ear mushrooms) with Gata.
The third-place winner is Juanito Lebuna Jr. from Brgy. Panuran, Lambunao who prepared Guinat-an nga Taklong (snail).
The winners received P1,500 (first place); P1,000 (second place); and P500 (third place).
Jielyn Palacios of Brgy. Camiros, Anilao prepared Papisik nga Korokokok kag Punay. Korokokok and Punay are native birds. Rosa Castin Labania of Sitio Balabag, Poblacion, San Rafael cooked Adobo nga Tikling. They received consolation prizes.
Provincial Health Officer Dr Maria Socorro Quiñon said this year’s celebration wants to promote inclusivity in terms of the delivery of health services.
“We should not leave everybody behind. That is the purpose of Universal Health Care,” Quiñon said.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government will take advantage of the month-long celebration “to start new approaches, new strategies, and new solutions” in improving the nutrition status of the province.
This could be done by ensuring that there is a sufficient supply of food, the right kind of food is available for consumption, and that a healthy lifestyle is practised.
“As we move forward we want to see nutrition as a convergence with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
NCIP VI Regional Director Ana Burgos expressed her appreciation to the province of Iloilo for giving chance to the IP community to showcase their local culture.
ACTIVITIES
Other highlights of the month-long celebration include an early Zumba activity at the Capitol entrance, nutrition counselling on special diets, and food tasting.
The provincial government will also be holding its first Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Convention on July 11 to 12 at Punta Villa Resort, Iloilo City. It will be participated by more or less 1,500 BNS.
(Capitol News)