“Ang pagbubuntis ay isa sa pinakamahirap at pinakamasayang panahon sa buhay ng isang babae. Kaakibat nito ang malaking responsibilidad na siguraduhin ang kaligtasan at kalusugan hindi lamang po ng mga manganganak kundi pati mga sanggol,” Kendoll Gatan, Nutrition Officer III from National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 1, said.

The significance of the period from the mother’s pregnancy up to the second birthday of the child has been the principal message of all the speakers in the First 1000 Days Congress that was hosted by the NNC, with the help of the Department of Health (DOH), the Rural Health Unit (RHU) and the Municipal Nutrition Action Office, on Thursday, September 28, 2017, at the Balon Bayambang Events Center.

Mothers-to-be keenly listened to DOH nurse Cherry Lyn de Guzman, Nancy Dulay, Grace Abiang, Susana T. Sison, and Dr. Dave Francis Junio as they led the discussions on self-care during pregnancy, family planning, PhilHealth benefits, laboratory requirements and dental hygiene, respectively. Municipal Health Officer Dr. Paz F. Vallo encouraged the women to have a regular checkup, one for the first three months of their pregnancy, another for the fourth to sixth months and another for the seventh to the ninth months of pregnancy. This is to make sure that both the mother and the baby are safe in the time of delivery.

Gatan stated that, “Ang pagbibigay natin ng wastong nutrisyon ng mag-ina sa loob ng isang libong araw ay makapagliligtas sa buhay ni nanay at ni baby.” He noted that the First 1000 Days Program aims to educate pregnant women regarding how they should take care of themselves and the babies inside their wombs for the child’s health and better future because there are still many undernourished children in the Philippines, particularly in Region 1.

In his message that was read by Dr. Nicolas Miguel, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao said, “Mahalaga ang kalusugan ng nanay sa kalusugan at kasiyahan ng kanyang magiging anak.” This is in line with the theme of the event which is “Healthy Mommy, Happy Baby.” Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Venus Bueno discussed the importance of eating healthy in the growth and development of a child. She reminded the mothers to choose nutritious foods over junk foods even after giving birth because their children are also consuming what they are eating when they breastfeed.

Gatan further advised the mothers to start breastfeeding within an hour after giving birth. He told them that they should work with Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, midwives, nurses and nutritionists for them to ensure that their child is getting proper nutrition.

Quiambao said that the Local Government Unit (LGU) is doing all that it can to make sure that every child in the town gets the proper food and nutrition that he or she needs. He said that the LGU welcomes and supports events that can help in eradicating child malnourishment in Bayambang.