Two emails I received from Kalipay Negrense early this month reminded me of two important observances in the country this month.
Kalipay Negrense is a Negros-based foundation advocating the interest of disadvantaged children, among them, the homeless, neglected, abandoned, malnourished and abused ones.
The two month-long events are the Philippine Nutrition Month and the National Disaster Resilience Month.
Kalipay Foundation conducted on July 2 an earthquake and volcanic eruption drill to usher in the National Disaster Resilience Month celebration.
The drill was held at its Recovered Treasures Children’s Home in Barangay Busay, Bago City.
The Foundation said the two-hour drill oriented the home’s young residents and staff on measures they can take during emergencies and disasters, like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
The home is located near the presently active Mt. Kanlaon.
“Given the area’s exposure to risks of earthquakes and eruptions, it is vital that both children and staff are well-prepared and properly trained to respond to emergencies,” Kalipay said the latest issue of its newsletter.
Simulated drills and guided instructions – including on appropriate emergency measures for residents so that they can act safely and swiftly – were taught during the July 2 activity.
The activity was held in partnership with the Philippines Pediatric Society and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The Foundation also underscored that the Nutrition Month observance is an occasion “to celebrate the transformative power of proper nutrition, not just as health need, but as a foundation for healing and growth.”
When we feed with love and intention, it added, “we nurture not only bodies but futures filled with possibilities.”
Kalipay is inviting kind-hearted individuals to be part of its efforts in nourishing young lives. “When we feed a child, we feed a future,” it reiterated.
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The Philippine Nutrition Month observance is mandated by a presidential Decree 482, which is also known as the Philippine Nutrition Act. Spearheading the activities is the National Nutrition Council.
NNC has designated this year’s Nutrition Month theme as “Sa PPAN: Sana-sama sa Nurisyong Sapat Para SA Lahat”. PPAN is short for Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, the national policy and strategy direction focused on addressing malnutrition through interventions and programs targeting various age groups and forms of malnutrition.
This year’s Nutrition Month observance is sub-themed “Food and Nutrition Security Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin!”.
The NDRM celebration, on the other hand, is being observed in keeping with Executive Order No. 29.
The observance highlights efforts beyond disaster awareness-building activities toward disaster resilience capability.
Specifically, it underscores the shared responsibility of government, communities, the private sector and individuals in fostering a disaster-resilient nation amid it
The 2025 celebration is focused on the theme, “Kumikilos Para sa Kahandaan, Kaligtasan at Katatagan”.
This month’s observance apparently paves the way for the global event – the International Day for Disaster Reduction – on Oct. 13.
Our participation in any of these two activities will definitely make the July observances more meaningful.
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‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) | NWI
