IN AN aim to promote healthy lifestyle among Fernandino children, the city government has prohibited the selling of junk foods in and around the schools’s vicinity in the City of San Fernando.
During the launching of the Nutrition Month 2019 celebration on Monday, July 8, city health officer Dr. Eloisa Aquino said the city government is strictly enforcing and monitoring the ban on junk food in schools, particularly Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers.
“We already have an ordinance banning junk food in schools along with the circular from the Department of Education on this. Outside of the school, we encourage parents not to give their children junk food,” said Aquino.
Aquino said ambulant vendors that are within the 100-meter radius of schools will be prohibited to ensure that school children will not have access to junk foods and unhealthy foods, in general.
“We have included in the ELA [Executive-Legislative Agenda] the prohibition of ambulant vendors selling junk food 100 meters from the school, with consideration that it does not affect their livelihood,” she said.
Mayor Edwin Santiago urged parents to instill to their children the practice of healthy living, and educate them of the benefits of eating nutritious foods to boost the overall their wellness.
He added that people’s lifestyle, including children, have drastically changed over the years and the need to bring back good habits like nutritious food and planting edible greens is now a necessity.
“Our primary armor against sickness is still healthy foods. Let us bring back the practice ‘NEWSTART’ or Nutrition - Exercise - Water - Temperance - Air - Rest - Trust in God,” Santiago added.
The activities during the month-long celebration include the monggolicious cooking challenge and nutri-quiz on the spot poster making contest on July 19; youth nutrition-wellness camp (July 22); Bibo Kid 2019; healthiest preggy Fernandina 2019 (July 24); ECCD health and nutrition (July 26); obesity kiddie clinic and parent orientation on overweight and obesity; and the big latch on.