Provincial government chiefs of offices,
employees volunteered their day for Bayanihan Challenge
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Mar. 27 (PIA) -- As early as 7
a.m. hundreds of local residents, youths and chiefs of offices and employees of
the provincial government led by provincial administrator Jesusimo Ronquillo
today swarm along the road from barangay Sampaguita to Barangay Sinubong,
Veruela in to locate their assigned areas for tree planting.
Tree planting opened up the fourth day of the
Bayanihan Challenge’s hectic activities.
The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources have provided the planting materials, while the Municipal Environment
and Natural Resources Office of the local government of Veruela prepared the
area.
As the day progress and participants of tree
planting have done their part, the volunteers moved towards the housing area
few kilometers away, where thousands of hollow blocks, piled sand and gravel
await at the side of the road for physical hauling uphill assigned for the
housing project.
Like disciplined soldiers, the volunteers fell
in line from where the hollow blocks were piled until the area assigned for the
hollow blocks to be transferred uphill.
Then the “pasa load” began where hollow blocks
were passed on, from the first volunteer picking them from the ground, passed
to the second volunteer and so on. The rhythm of “pass-it-on” lasted for about
two hours. After everybody has their sweat dripping from their forehead to the ground,
the hollow blocks were transferred from the side of the road to the assigned
area uphill.
While volunteers were rendering their share of
rendering labor, local residents with illnesses fill the covered court located
at the back of the barangay high school in Barangay Sampaguita in order to
avail of the free medical check-up, vaccination and free medicines.
Mothers carrying their babies and children, old
men and women were the majority of the people seen at the covered court.
The medical mission will last until the last
patient will be served, according to the chief of the technical department of
the Provincial Health Office, Nanette Cabanos.
Tonight will be the Bayanihan night. Local
residents will have fun, sharing each others’ prepared food and entertainment.
According to Barangay Chairman Florencio Tabada,
this is the first government program they experienced that volunteerism among
local residents and visiting people were united, making things possible and
easy with less, if no cost at all. Tabada said the “Isang Bayan, Isang
Bayanihan” program or the Bayani Challenge is an unforgettable and priceless
gift for them.
Bayani Challenge is a multi-sectoral partnership
spearheaded by Pilipinas Natin (the flagship volunteer program of the
Presidential Communications Operations Office). The vast network of private
companies, organizations and other government agencies includes Gawad Kalinga,
Philippine Information Agency, Department of Education, National Youth
Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Health, TESDA,
PAGCOR, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Telecommunications
Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, League of
Provinces, EDSA People Power Commission, Housing and Urban Development Council,
Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Radyo ng Bayan, LBC Foundation,
BERJAYA Corporation Berhad, Globe Telecom, People’s Television and many others.
(DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Bayani Challenge opens in Siargao
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Mar. 26 (PIA) -- The 8th
Bayani Challenge opened on March 23 at the GK build house site in Brgy.
Lobogon, Del Carmen, Siargao Island, this province.
Del Carmen Mayor Afredo “JR” Coro officially
declared the opening of the 8th Bayani Challenge with this year’s theme “Isang
Bayan, Isang Bayanihan,” followed by a community dancing to the tune of the
Gawad Kalinga (GK) theme songs and human chain activity dubbed “PASALOAD,” a
community 'bayanihan' of forming a lengthy line and then passing the hollow
blocks and filling materials for construction until it reach near to the
framework of houses to be built.
Mayor Coro announced during the opening ceremony
that the 8th Bayani Challenge is a five-day event, done simultaneously in 37
sites of 33 different provinces all over the Philippines from March 23-27 and
Del Carmen is lucky to be included in the 37 sites of this year’s Gawad Kalinga
Bayani Challenge.
More than 1,000 bayani volunteers from Surigao
City, Butuan, Manila and Singapore including local residents have registered
for the five-day activity of test of courage, endurance and volunteerism.
From a total of 1,000 bayani volunteers or 44
teams (with 15 individuals in 1 team) registered, 28 teams were assigned to
build houses, 6 teams for refurbishments of schools and parks, 5 teams for
feeding and education sessions for children, and 5 teams were assigned for tree
planting, clean-up drives and health missions.
A total of 30 houses will be constructed by the
bayani volunteers for the homeless and poorest families of Brgy. Lobogon.
Early morning on March 24, the bayani volunteers
had a tree planting activity along the highway of Brgy.Lobogon and Brgy.
Bitoon.
Following the tree planting activities, Gawad
Kalinga Founder and Executive Director Tony Meloto, together with Governor Sol
Matugas, 1st District Congressman Francisco Matugas and Mayor Coro arrived at
the GK build house site to led the ceremonial hollow blocks laying and gave
support to the bayani volunteers.
Gawad Kalinga Founder and Executive Director
Tony Meloto was also the guest speaker during the Fellowship Night dubbed as
“Kalinga Night” held on March 24 at the Bayani Challenge Camp Site in the
school campus of Numancia Central Elementary School, Poblacion, Del Carmen.
(SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Pamana initiates peace-building interventions in
Caraga
By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa
BUTUAN CITY, March 26 -- The Payapa at
Masaganang PamayaNan, known as Pamana is the national government’s peace and
development framework to respond and strengthen peace building, reconstruction
and development in conflict-affected areas (CAAs).
On March 22, the Office of the Presidential
Adviser of the Peace Process (OPAPP) with the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) Region 13 (CARAGA) initiated the Pamana Regional Programming
to come-up with a list of peace-building projects for fiscal year 2014 at
Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan City.
DILG Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion in
her message takes a firm commitment in ensuring that the Pamana intervention
will create an environment for the achievement of lasting peace in the
conflict-affected areas in the region.
Present also during the activity was OPAPP’s
over-all coordinator, Director Maria Eileen A. Jose who informed the
participants that her long stint in this kind of work brought her face to face
with the CPP, NPA and NDF’s (C/N/N).
The programming process at the regional level
aimed to identify priority projects with corresponding budget allocation for
inclusion in the Pamana Program in 2014. The projects will be endorsed to the
partner agencies for inclusion in their budget submission to the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) by not later than 15th of April 2013.
Pamana Area Manager Mr. Oliver M. Binancilan
discussed the updates on the major issues underpinning conflict-vulnerability
of Caraga region. Based on the latest status of the region, there has been lack
or absence of road connectivity, poor delivery of basic social services
(particularly of health, water, education and electricity), limited livelihood
opportunities, insurgency issues, presence of mining and logging activities
that are target of extortion activities and propaganda of C/N/N, and large IP
population with lack of tenurial instrument and security in managing ancestral
domain.
To address those problems and issues, the Pamana
interventions focused its priorities in improving the presence of security on
highly vulnerable areas, strengthening of Peace and Order Councils, Policy
Reforms, improving the advocacy on government programs, addressing mining and
logging issues, sustainable livelihood support, implementation of access roads,
and improved delivery of basic social services.
Participating agencies to the Pamana Regional
Programming are the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) for security; Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health
(DOH) for social services; Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) for
livelihood and employment; Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), DA,
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and National Electrification Authority
(NEA) for infrastructure; DENR, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for IP areas; Provincial Government,
Pamana focal persons and Pamana Oversight Committee converged to generate the
list of priority projects for 2014 programming.
The activity include discussions on ways to
tighten convergence of efforts along (a) complementation of programs; (b)
coordination and implementation; (c) communication and advocacy; and (d)
monitoring of Pamana projects in the conflict-affected areas according to the
latest security assessment. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
PDEA-Caraga nets Agusan del Sur target-listed
drug personality
By Erwin S. Ogario
BUTUAN CITY, March 26 - The Special Enforcement
Team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga conducted a
buy-bust operation on March 23 at Purok 2-C, Barangay 1, San Francisco, Agusan
del Sur that resulted in the arrests of two (2) provincial target-listed drug
suspects and the confiscation of two (2) heat-sealed transparent plastic
sachets.
Confiscated drug evidence from the apprehended
suspects were submitted to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime
Laboratory Regional Office XIII, Butuan City for laboratory examination.
Suspects who were found positive in the use of
“shabu” are presently detained at PDEA-Caraga detention cell while cases for
violations of Sec. 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Sec. 5 in relation to Sec. 26
par. b (Conspiracy), Sec. 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia) and Sec. 15
(Use of Dangerous Drugs), Article II, RA 9165 are being prepared for filing in
court. (PDEA-13/PIA-Caraga)
NSO undertakes the 2012 CPBI
BUTUAN CITY, March 26 - The National Statistics
Office will be conducting the 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry
(CPBI) starting April 1. The 2012 CPBI aims to collect and generate information
on the performance, levels, structure and trends of economic activities of the
formal sector in the entire country. The 2012 CPBI is a forerunner of the 2006
CPBI. The 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fishing activities for Establishments or
Institutions will be a rider of this census.
All existing establishments and enterprises in
the formal sector of the country engaged in economic activities as classified
in the 2009 Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC), with a few
exceptions, will be covered in the 2012 CPBI. Further, the units of enumeration
for the 2012 CPBI are the establishments and the enterprises.
Specifically, the 2012 CPBI aims to: Collect and
generate detailed information on employment, income, expense, capital
expenditures and total assets of the establishments and enterprises; Generate
indicators such as value added, labor productivity and others necessary to
evaluate the performance of industries at the national and regional levels;
Generate MSME (micro, small and medium establishments/enterprises) data using
total assets, and; Gather information for the environment of the list of
establishments and enterprises.
The data collected from the CPBI will constitute
bases upon which the government and the private sector can formulate policies
and evolve economic development plans.
Specifically, the census results are used in:
Constructing national and regional income accounts of the Philippine economy;
Formulating and monitoring plans/policies in the attainment of national and
regional economic goals; Determining and comparing regional economic structures
and performances; Analyzing the performance and contribution of MSMEs to the
total economy; Conducting market research and feasibility studies a month
others; and Updating the frame of establishments and enterprises.
In Caraga, NSO Field Staff and hired trained
Statistical Researchers will be responsible for the distribution and collection
of the questionnaires to the establishments starting on April 1, 2013.
Also, NSO would like to assure the respondents
that all information furnished to the SRs are strictly confidential and shall
not be used as evidence in court for purposes of taxation, regulation or
investigation as provided for in Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 591.
For Caraga Region, further information can be
obtained thru the NSO Regional Office at Lopez Jaena Extension, Butuan City,
and thru its four provincial offices with the following addresses: 1. Agusan
del Norte Provincial Office, Lopez Jaena Ext., Butuan City; 2. Agusan del Sur
Provincial Office, Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur: 3. Surigao del Norte Provincial
Office, Navarro Street, Surigao City; 4. Surigao del Sur Provincial Office,
Pimentel Bldg., Telaje Street, Tandag City. (NSO-13/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Nutrition of lactating mothers
greatly affects infant health
By Imelda A. Agdeppa
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the
Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) conducted a national survey on
the nutritional status of Filipino lactating women in 2011.
Results of the survey revealed that 1 in 10 or
11.9 percent of lactating mothers are underweight.
The prevalence of underweight among lactating
women was highest in Bicol, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, ARMM, MIMAROPA and
Ilocos regions, ranging from 12.9% to 16.6%. This prevalence is higher than the
national prevalence of 11.9%.
Breastfeeding substantially increases the
mother’s requirements for most nutrients.
The number of calories a woman needs depends
upon how much body fat she has and how active she is.
Lactating women need to consume additional 500
extra calories, based on the Recommended Energy Nutrient Intakes (RENI).
These women need to increase not only the
calories they consume, but all the nutrients that make up their diet in order
to satisfy the additional requirements for milk synthesis such as calcium,
magnesium, zinc, folate and vitamin B6.
The composition of human milk is distinct from
the milk of other mammals and from infant formulas ordinarily derived from
them.
Human milk is unique in its physical structure,
types and concentrations of macronutrients such as protein, fat and
carbohydrate and as well as micronutrients such as vitamins like vitamins C, A,
thiamin and riboflavin and minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
The vitamin content of human milk is dependent
on the mother’s current nutrient intake and stores.
Chronically low maternal intake of nutritious
foods may result in milk with low amounts of essential nutrients for the
infant. Poor maternal diet during lactation therefore, poses a potential threat
to both the mother and her infant.
Lactating women with poor nutritional status are
more prone to sickness and when sick, they frequently refuse to breastfeed,
thus adversely affecting infant’s growth and development. Newborns are the most
vulnerable members of the society. Preventing newborn deaths and improving
newborn health and survival go hand in hand with promoting safer motherhood.
Measures promoting proper food intake during
lactation like supporting existing advocacies for micronutrient supplementation
and nutrition education from public and private sectors are needed.
Improving maternal and infant health through
healthy lifestyles will be beneficial to all.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City. Email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph. Telefax: 837-2934 and
827-3164, or call 837-2071 local 2296 or visit our website:
http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph . (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Pinoy moms have positive views on
exclusive breastfeeding
By Ma. Anna Rita M. Ramirez
The latest nutrition survey of the Food and
Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST) in 2011 reveals a positive outlook for exclusive breastfeeding
among Filipino mothers.
More mothers are now breastfeeding their infants
exclusively, up from 29.7 percent in 2003 to 35.9 percent in 2008 and 46.7
percent in 2011.
The survey also disclosed the mothers’ improved
knowledge on the beneficial effects of breastfeeding.
In 2011, 56 percent of mothers think that
breastmilk is nutritious and is the complete food for their babies compared to
only 35.8 percent in 2008.
One in four mothers now thinks that
breastfeeding increases infants’ immune system and that breastfeeding is safe
and convenient.
In fact, 13.2 percent of mothers think that
breastfeeding strengthens mother-child bonding, the survey further disclosed.
This is a far cry compared to the 2008 National
Nutrition Survey also conducted by the FNRI-DOST where only 7.6, 12 and 4.3
percent of mothers think that breastfeeding increases the immune system, is
safe and convenient, and fosters mother-child bonding, respectively.
Interestingly, the survey also reported that 56
percent of mothers say that economics plays a role in encouraging them to
breastfeed, in the same manner that it was also cited as a reason why they
cease to breastfeed.
Further, one in five mothers or 20.3 percent
cited work outside the homes or having busy schedule as contributory to their
decision to stop breastfeeding.
It is possible that despite the knowledge that
breastfeeding is beneficial and economical, mothers breastfeed until the time
that they feel they have recovered “enough” from childbirth to become
economically productive again for the household, suggesting that breastfeeding
is not sustained.
Mothers breastfeed exclusively for an average of
3.7 months only, the survey added.
This duration falls short of the World Health
Organization (WHO) recommendation that infants be breastfed exclusively for six
months.
The decision to breastfeed is influenced by the
interplay of the mothers’ immediate environment (family support, media
exposure), economic status (work, schedule) and knowledge (importance of
breastmilk, breastfeeding, image of healthy children).
The WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) recommend “(1) that infants be put on the breast within the first hour
of life; (2) that they be fed exclusively with breast milk without any
additional food or drink, not even water for the first six months; (3) that
infants be breastfed on demand; and (4) that bottles or pacifiers are not
used.”
The WHO believes that these practices are
support measures “to establish, nurture and sustain the practice of exclusive
breastfeeding”.
The Philippines has shown support to the
International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes with the passage of
Executive Order No. 51, now known as the Philippine Code of Marketing of
Breastmilk Substitutes or more popularly known as the Milk Code.
A key translation of the “promotion and support”
components of E.O. 51 is the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009
(Republic Act No. 10028) that specifically addresses the concern of working
(and at the same time breastfeeding) mothers.
The law seeks to provide an “enabling
environment” for the working-breastfeeding mothers both in the workplace and in
public places via establishing “lactation stations” and allowing for “lactation
breaks”.
Tax incentives await institutions and
establishments who are able to comply with the provisions of the law.
Gains in practicing exclusive breastfeeding
among Filipino mothers, as shown in the latest nutrition survey, may reflect
the collective efforts by the Health department, concerned government line
agencies and non-government bodies in “protecting, promoting and supporting
breastfeeding activities”, as stipulated in the Milk Code.
Exclusive breastfeeding is defined by the WHO as
a mode of feeding wherein the “infant only receives breastmilk without any additional
food or drink, not even water”.
For more information on food and nutrition
researches, you may contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, FNRI-DOST, at
telephone number 837-2934 or email at mar_v_c@yahoo.com. (FNRI-DOST S & T
Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: 2 in 10 Pinoys are zinc deficient
By Mildred A. Udarbe
Zinc is one of the essential minerals because of
its importance in approximately 100 enzyme activities that support the many
body processes.
Considered an ubiquitous and versatile trace
element, zinc has varied supporting roles in the epidermal, gastrointestinal,
central nervous, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems.
Zinc is needed for a healthy immune system,
synthesis of DNA, wound healing, and growth and development in children,
adolescents, and pregnant women.
It was in 1961 when zinc deficiency was
associated to be a contributory factor in varied diseases.
Since then, several studies have been conducted,
particularly in developing countries, on dietary zinc supplementation.
These studies led to increased public awareness
on the health importance of human zinc deficiency on a global basis, propelling
zinc as a micronutrient of special importance in human nutrition.
The signs and symptoms associated with zinc
deficiency are growth retardation, diarrhea, hair loss, loss of appetite, eye
and skin lesions, white spots on the fingernails, increased prevalence of
infections, poor pregnancy outcomes like impaired fetal development, impaired
neurobehavioral function in children, and delayed sexual maturation and impotence.
The possible widespread occurrence of zinc
deficiency in past decades requires the urgency to assess the prevalence of
zinc deficiency in representative samples of at-risk populations with the use
of direct indicators of zinc status.
The Philippines, considered as one of the
developing countries with reported incidence of malnutrition, has limited data
on the zinc status of its population.
Hence, researchers of the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) led
by Juanita M. Marcos, Science Research Specialist II of the Nutrition Research
and Development Division, determined the serum zinc levels and magnitude of
zinc deficiency among selected population of household members included in the
FNRI’s 7th National Nutrition Survey.
The selected populations included 6- month old
infants up to 5 year-old pre-school children; 13–19 year old females; pregnant
women; and the 60 year old and over elderly males and females.
Biomarkers used in determining zinc deficiency
are either serum or plasma zinc. The study revealed a high magnitude, from
twenty to thirty-three percent (20 – 33%) of zinc deficiency among the selected
population groups.
In the FNRI study, serum zinc of the selected
population was compared with the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative
Group (IZiNCG) suggested cut-offs for serum zinc and the Guidelines for public
health concern. The researchers recommend strategies that may assist planners
and policymakers in identifying intervention programs and policies to improve
zinc nutriture of the at-risk population groups.
These strategies include continuous assessment
of zinc status during the conduct of the national nutrition surveys,
identification or determination of the risks factors in the development of zinc
deficiency, and development of a food database on the zinc content and
inhibitors that would be helpful in determining zinc intake.
For more information on food and nutrition
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num.: 8372934 and 8373154;
email:mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website:
http//www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: Diabetes 101
By Celina Ann Z. Javier
Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle-related disease
characterized by high blood sugar levels.
A high blood sugar level is caused by the
inability of the body to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, the hormone
which keeps blood sugar at a normal level.
The two types of diabetes are the insulin
dependent or Type I and the non-insulin dependent or Type II.
Type I diabetes is common in children and young
adults. Type I diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce insulin,
hence it has to be injected by the diabetics.
Type II diabetes, however is the most common
form and is usually called adult-onset diabetes.
In Type II diabetes, the pancreas is not
producing enough insulin needed by the body.
Risk factors for having diabetes include family
history, high blood pressure, old age, sedentary lifestyle and overweight or
obesity.
Many studies have shown that obesity is the
number one predictor in the development of Type II diabetes.
Similarly, it has been shown that people who are
45 years old and above are more at-risk to Type II diabetes.
Diabetes is the 8th leading cause of death among
Filipino adults, based on the Department of Health- Field (DOH) Health Service
Information System in 2009.
In addition, according to the 7th National
Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by Food and Nutrition Research Institute
(FNRI-DOST) in 2008, the prevalence of diabetes among Filipinos based on high
fasting blood glucose (FBS) was 4.8 percent (%). High fasting blood glucose
(FBS) therefore increased 3.4% in 2003, although it increased was
insignificant.
On the other hand, the prevalence of high FBS
among adults peaked at age 50-69 years old, proving that people who are 45
years old and over are more at-risk to diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious illness that when
neglected results to complications like kidney and heart diseases, blindness
and nerve damages, among others.
There is no cure for diabetes yet, so one should
carefully manage it through proper diet and healthy lifestyle.
The FNRI-DOST developed the Nutritional Handbook
for Persons with Diabetes to help in the nutritional management of the disease.
The handbook gives correct and accurate
information about the diabetes, as it is identified therein that education is
the fourth foundation of its medical therapy.
The other therapies involve diet, exercise and
medication.
This handbook is not only helpful to diabetics
but also to family members who can help in managing the disease.
There is no specific diabetic diet recommended
by the handbook, as the diet depends on the patient’s body size, physical activity,
laboratory results and medications.
Individualized diet counselling is needed to
ensure that the patient receives the right nutrition information.
Diabetics are encouraged to practice healthy
lifestyle by exercising regularly to burn body sugar quickly and avoiding
alcoholic beverages to avoid excess calories and health hazards that contribute
to any complications of the disease.
Other handbooks developed by FNRI-DOST are on
managing cancer, heart and cardiovascular diseases, among other publications
available that serve as guides and tools in the nutritional management of
diseases.
The FNRI-DOST is true to its commitment of
improving of the nutritional status of the Filipino people by providing
nutritional guides and tools to educate and the general public.
For more information on diabetes, other diet and
lifestyle-related diseases or on food and nutrition contact: Dr. Mario V.
Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of
Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail:
mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph, Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local
2296 or visit our website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S & T
Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
Lathalain: Wastong pagplano ng pagkain, mahalaga
Ni Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso
Malimit na katanungan ng mga mommy o nanay ay
“ano na naman kaya ang lulutuin ko?” o kaya’y “ano kaya ang kakainin ng mga
anak ko?”
Kung mayroong plano kung ano ang lulutuin o
iyong tinatawag na meal planning, maiiwasan ang problema sa kung ano ang ipapakain
sa ating pamilya.
Ang meal planning ay ang proseso ng pag-iisip o
pagpaplano nang advance o nang mas maaga kung anong pagkain ang ihahanda para
sa ating pamilya.
Kung may plano, malaking bagay din ang ating
matitipid sa oras at maka-iiwas sa hassle sa pamimili.
Magkakaroon din tayo ng maraming oras sa
pagluluto na puwede nating gamitin para makapag-eksperimento ng mga bagong
recipe at gumamit ng leftover foods.
At higit sa lahat, maibabalanse natin ang
sustansyang makukuha natin mula sa iba’t-ibang uri ng pagkain, tulad ng mga
taga-pagbuo ng katawan o pagkain mayaman sa protina; tagapag-bigay lakas tulad
ng bigas at iba pang kauri nito at mga pagkaing masagana sa mantika o langis;
at tagapag-saayos ng katawan gaya ng madahong berde at dilaw na gulay at
prutas.
Narito ang ilang mga paalaala na dapat sundin sa
pagpaplano ng pagkain:
Ang pinakaimportante sa lahat, ay ang
sustansiyang makukuha natin sa pagkain. Ito ay ukol sa major food groups gaya
ng mga pagkaing taga-pagbuo ng katawan o pagkain mayaman sa protina;
tagapag-bigay lakas tulad ng bigas at iba pang kauri at mga pagkaing masagana
sa mantika o langis; at tagapag-saayos ng katawan gaya ng madahong berde at
dilaw na gulay at prutas.
Lagyan ng variation o pagkakaiba-iba ang mga
pagkaing inihahanda sa ating pamilya para makuha ang lahat ng mga kailangan
sustansiya sa tama at wastong bilang o dami. Tandaan na hindi lang sa iisang
pagkain makukuha ang mga sustansiyang kailangan ng ating katawan.
Ugaliin painumin ng gatas sa halip na
softdrinks, kape, tsaa, iced tea o maging mga fruit-flavored juice ang mga
bata. Malaking tulong para sa mga bata ang gatas dahil taglay nito ang iba’t
ibang mga sustansiya na kailangan sa kanilang paglaki.
Dapat laging isaalang-alang ang budget ng
pamilya para hindi puro sa pagkain lang nabubuhos ang kita ng pamilya. Hindi
lang pagkain ang pinagkakagastusan ng pamilya. May iba pang bayarin tulad ng
kuryente, tubig, upa sa bahay at edukasyon ng mga bata.
Ang pagkain sa mesa ay hindi kinakailangang
maging mahal. Ang pinakaimportante ay nakukuha ang tamang sustansiyang
kailangang ng ating katawan kahit sa mga simple at murang pagkain.
Para higit na makatipid, bumili ng mga pagkaing
napapanahon gaya ng ibang prutas at gulay. Mas mura ang pagkain kung ito ay
napapanahon dahil tiyak na marami ang supply nito.
Matutong magkumpara ng presyo ng bawat produkto.
Mas mabuting magkaroon tayo ng isang suki kung saan ay higit na makamumura at
makakatipid sa mga bilihin at siguradong nasa maayos na kalidad ang produkto.
Sa halip na mga malalaking isda, bumili ng mga
maliliit na isda gaya ng dilis, dulong at alamang. Kahit maliliit ang mga ito,
mayaman naman ang mga ito sa protina at calcium. Tandaan lang na di mainam ang
mga lamang-loob sa may mataas ang lebel ng kolesterol at uric acid. Pwedeng
pamalit sa karne ang tokwa at mga butong gulay na mayaman sa protina.
Gamitin ang leftover foods at huwag ito basta
itapon. Siguraduhin lang na ininit nang mabuti ang leftover foods bago ihain.
Sa paghahanda ng pagkain, isipin ang oras at ang
mga gamit na kakailanganin. Bago pumunta sa palengke, ilista ang lahat ng mga
bibilhin upang walang makalimutan. Tiyakin na mabibili ng lahat ng mga
kakailanganing sangkap o gamit para hindi na magpabalik-balik sa palengke at
makatipid tayo sa oras.
Ugaliin din ang paghahanda ng mga tinatawag na
one-dish meals gaya ng sinigang, nilaga at munggo guisado. Kumpleto na sa rekado
ang mga ulam na ito kaya tipid na sa paghahanda at tipid pa sa gas.
Kung isi-serve na ang pagkain, tiyakin na laging
malinis ang mga kamay. Huwag din hayaang may sakit ang taong magsisilbi ng
pagkain dahil baka mailipat sa pagkain ang anumang mikrobyo na mayroon ang
taong magsisilbi.
Gawin ding presentable ang pagkain at hangga’t
maaari ay lagyan ito ng iba’t ibang mga palamuti at kulay para higit itong
maging masarap at katakam-takam sa ating mga mata.
Para sa epektibong pagplano ng pagkain, mahalagang
isaalang-alang ang sustansiya o nutrisyong kailangan ng ating katawan.
Pero hindi rin natin dapat kalilimutan ang
budget dahil sa panahon ngayon, kailangan nating maging matipid dahil sa hirap
ng buhay.
Tandaan lamang ang mga nabanggit na tips sa tamang
paghahanda at pagpaplano ng ating mga pagkain.
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa
pagkain at nutrisyon, makipag-ugnayan kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Food and
Nutrition Research Institute-DOST, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila, Tel. No.
837-29-34 or 837-20-71 loc. 2287, FNRI-DOST, email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph;
website:http//www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (FNRI-DOST S & T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Lathalain: Diabetics, mas marupok ang buto -
FNRI
Ni Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
Higit na matibay ang buto ng mga taong walang
diabetes kumpara sa mga may diabetes.
Ayon sa pag-aaral sa pangunguna nina Dr. Celeste
C. Tanchoco, Ms. Milagros F. Villadolid, at Ms. Mina Grace C. Aquino ng Food
and Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST), mas mababa ang bone mineral density (BMD) ng mga may diabetes
kumpara sa mga walang diabetes.
Dahil dito higit na matibay ang buto ng mga
taong walang diyabetis kumpara sa mga may diabetes.
Ang BMD ay nagsasabi kung gaano kahitik sa
mineral na calcium at phosphorus ang nakadeposito sa buto.
Nasusukat ang BMD gamit and isang espesyal na
instrumentong tinatawag na dual energy x-ray absorptiometry o DEXA.
Ang mababang BMD o kakaunting mineral sa buto ay
puwedeng mauwi sa butong marupok at madaling mabali.
May 63 kababaihan ang sumali sa pag-aaral nila
Dr. Tanchoco kung saan anim dito ay may type 1 diabetes, o yung mga gumagamit
ng gamot na insulin upang ma kontrol ang diabetes. Ang 27 naman ay may type 2
diabetes o yung mga tumataas ang asukal sa dugo subalit hindi pa gumagamit ng
gamot na insulin, at ang natitirang 30 kababaihan ay normal at walang diabetes.
Ayon kay Dr. Tanchoco, ang diabetes o ang
pagtaas ng asukal sa dugo at osteoporosis o ang kondisyon ng paghina ng buto
dulot ng kakulangan ng mineral sa buto ay dulot ng unhealthy lifestyle kagaya
ng maling pagpili ng pagkain at hindi pag-e-ehersisyo.
Ang pampitong mensahe ng Nutritional Guidelines
for Filipinos (NGF) na binalangkas at pinalaganap ng mga eksperto sa pangunguna
nf FNRI ay nagpapayo na uminom ng gatas, kumain ng mga pagkaing gawa sa gatas,
at mayaman sa calcium gaya ng maliliit na isda na nakakain pati ang tinik at
madadahong berdeng gulay.
Ayon pa sa Food Composition Tables na inilimbag
ng FNRI-DOST ang mga pagkain mayayaman sa calcium ay dilis, dulong, tawilis,
sinilyasi, tamban, alamang, tagunton, talangka, kuhol, susung pilipit.
Ang mga gulay mula sa dagat o seaweeds na
mayaman din sa calcium ay ang balbalulang, gamet, kulot.
Mayaman din sa calcium ang kamoteng puti, oats,
at berdeng dahon ng ampalaya, lubi-lubi, malunggay, saluyot, at himbabao o
alukon.
Para sa karagdagang kaalaman at impormasyon
hinggil sa pagkain at nutrisyon, maaaring sumulat o tumawag kay Dr. Mario V.
Capanzana, Direktor, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of
Science and Technology, Gen Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; e-mail:
mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph mar_v_c@yahoo.com; telefax:8372934, 8273164, 8372071 loc
2296; FNRI website:http//www.fnri.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S & T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Lathalain: Breastfeeding, ikalawang mensahe pa
rin sa 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos
Ni Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso
Pamilyar na tayo sa katagang ”Breast-feed
infants exclusively from birth to six months, and then, give appropriate food
while continuing breast-feeding”
Hindi na bago sa pandinig natin ang katagang ito
dahil ito ang ikalawang mensahe na nakasaad sa 2000 Nutritional Guidelines for
Filipinos (NGF).
Nitong 2012, ang bagong NGF na ginawa ng
Technical Working sa pamumuno ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute,
Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) ay ganoon din ang ikalawang
mensahe na patungkol sa breastfeeding.
Nakasaad sa ikalawang mensahe kung bakit
mahalaga ang breastfeeding: “breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to 6
months, then give appropriate complementary foods while continuing
breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond for optimum growth and development”.
Mahalaga ang ikalawang mensahe ng 2012 NGF.
Alam naman natin na ang gatas ng ina ang
pinakamasustansyang pagkain para sa mga sanggol.
Taglay nito ang sapat na sustansya na kailangan
ng mga sanggol lalo sa kanyang unang anim na buwan.
Ang colostrum o ang unang gatas na nakukuha ng
baby sa kanyang ina ay nagtataglay ng mga antibodies na siyang pananggalang ni
baby laban sa impeksyon at iba pang sakit.
Kaya naman masasabi natin na ang isang sanggol
na nakasuso ng colostrum ng kanyang ina ay hindi basta-basta magkakasakit.
Mayroon ding protina at taba ang gatas ng ina na
madaling matunaw kaysa sa taglay na protina at taba ng mga infant formula.
Dahil madaling matunaw ang protina at taba ng
gatas ng ina, madali itong magagamit ng katawan ni baby, maging ang mga
bitamina and mineral na taglay nito.
Pero hindi lang ang tamang nutrisyon para kay
baby ang kahalagahan ng gatas ng ina ngunit mahalaga rin ito para sa mga nanay.
Base sa mga pag-aaral, puwedeng makaiwas sa
breast cancer ang nanay kung nagpapa-breastfeed siya. Bukod dyan, hindi din
kaagad mabubuntis ang nanay.
Malaking tipid din kung nagpapa-breastfeed ang
nanay dahil masyadong mahal ngayon ang mga infant formula.
Mahal din ang mga gamit ni baby gaya ng mga
bote. Bukod diyan, menos-trabaho dahil hindi na kailangang maglinis ng bote.
At higit sa lahat, tiyak ding ligtas and sanggol
dahil hindi na kailangang mag-alala kung mapasuso natin ng panis na gatas ang
sanggol dahil laging sariwa ang gatas ng ina.
Pero higit sa lahat ng mga importansyang ito ng
pagpapasuso ng ina, ang isa pang napakahalagang idinudulot ang
pagpapa-breastfeed, ay ang hindi matatawarang natural bonding sa pagitan ni
mommy at ng kanyang sanggol.
Napakahalaga na sa unang anim na buwan ay
mapasuso ang sanggol ng gatas ina.
Napakaraming benepisyong maibibigay nito, hindi
lang para sa sanggol, kundi pati na rin kay nanay.
Pero dumarating sa punto na hindi na sapat ang
gatas ng ina para maibigay ang lahat ng nutrisyong kailangan ni baby.
Pagkatapos kasi ng unang anim na buwan,
kailangan nang bigyan ng karagdagang pagkain si baby o iyong mga tinatawag na
complementary foods.
Sa ganitong pagkakataon, ang uri ng pagkaing
ibinibigay sa bata ay depende sa kanyang edad.
Tandaan lang na kahit na kumakain na ng solid
foods ang sanggol, ugaliin pa rin na painumin ng gatas ng ina hanggang dalawang
taong gulang at pataas.
Sa pamamagitan nito ng gatas ng ina at wastong
karagdagan pagkain o complementary foods, makakatiyak tayo na sapat na
sustansya at nutrisyon ang makukuha ng sanggol .
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa
pagkain at nutrisyon, makipag-ugnayan kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Food and
Nutrition Research Institute-DOST, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila, Tel. No.
837-29-34 or 837-20-71 loc. 2287, FNRI-DOST, email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph;
website:http//www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
