by Maritess Beņas
BANGUED, Abra - Members of the Abra Provincial Nutrition Council awarded Thursday the winners in the Backyard Garden Contest held in observance of the National Nutrition Month Celebration in July.
14 municipalities participated in the backyard gardening contest with Mrs. Ruby Santiago of Bucay romping first place and a cash prize of P5,000.00. Second prize is Mrs. Generosa Tubaņa of Peņarrubia with a cash prize of P3,500.00; and third is Mrs. Susana Valencia of Lagangilang with a cash prize of P2,000.00. All the other contestants were given P1,000.00 each as consolation prizes. Final judging of the wining entries was undertaken by the team led by Dr. Leona G. Beroņa, the provincial nutrition council action officer.
In his message, Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin, chairman of the Provincial Nutrition Council, emphasized the importance of vegetables and fruits in our daily diet coupled with exercise in order to maintain good health and nutrition. He recalled how he did gardening in his young age as he shared his funny experience. He advised the participants to continue their activities particularly their gardening, not just because there is a contest, but more so for their food supply and additional family income. He also challenged them to do better as he will be visiting them one day to see for himself their gardens although a slide presentation was shown during the program. He also gave additional incentives to all the contestants.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Godofredo Gasa also discussed the diseases that are acquired through unhealthy lifestyle. These diseases include the following: cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, kidney trouble and diabetes. Hence, the great help that vegetables and fruits can give for us to maintain good health and nutrition.
There were other activities undertaken during the month-long observance of the national nutrition month celebration in the province like the healthy walk which kicked-off the celebration, and the weekly HATAW and free blood sugar monitoring for government officials and employees.
Relative to this, Dr. Beroņa requested the governor to issue and executive order that the weekly HATAW be adopted in the provincial capitol even after July, the nutrition month. ** PIA-Abra
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