2021 NUTRITION MONTH CELEBRATION (DepEd Memorandum No. 035, s. 2021)

DepEd MEMORANDUM

No. 035, s. 2021

2021 NUTRITION MONTH CELEBRATION

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoins all learners, teaching and nonteaching personnel, officials, and other stakeholders, including parents to participate in the 2021 Nutrition Month Celebration this July. This celebration is led by the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the country's highest policy-making body and coordinating agency on nutrition.

2. The theme of the campaign for this year, Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!, calls for continued efforts to address malnutrition in the country which is expected to worsen as a result of the pandemic and limited resources for nutrition. It emphasizes the importance of good nutrition during the first 1000 days of the child's life as the strategic intervention to prevent stunting and obesity.

3. The celebration aims to:

a. raise awareness on the importance of the first 1000 days as a golden window of opportunity for a comprehensive package of nutrition and related intervention, to achieve a significant reduction in under and overnutrition while contributing to optimal child development; and

b. advocate for interventions and services in the first 1000 days as mandated by Republic Act No. 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act of 2018.

4. All DepEd offices and schools are enjoined to participate in the meaningful undertakings, which will highlight the importance of good nutrition in addressing stunting and obesity through focusing on the First 1000 days among children while improving resistance against diseases in times of pandemic. DepEd offices may also conceptualize creative activities for learners and their families online and on other platforms. It is reiterated that such activities after July 10, 2021, are no longer part of the school calendar per DepEd Order 2021, s. 2021 titled Amendment to DepEd Order No. 030, s. 2020.

5. At the national level, the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD) and the Public Affairs Service (PAS) is tasked to launch online activities in DepEd social media platforms in support of the campaign.

6. Key messages, references, and resources related to the celebration may be accessed at the National Nutrition Council's official website www.nnc.gov.ph. Resources that will be developed by the BLSS-SHD and PAS may be accessed at https://bit.ly/2021nutrimonth.

7. The report and pictorials on the highlights of the celebration of Nutrition Month at the regional and division levels shall be incorporated in the consolidated OK sa DepEd progress and accomplishment reports for submission by the regional health and nutrition personnel to the BLSS-SHD. The same can be sent to NNC regional offices.

8. While July is designated as Nutrition Month, actions to achieve the objectives of the celebration are expected to be sustained throughout the year.