On July 7, 2025 the Office of the Provincial Health Officer – Nutrition team, in collaboration with Provincial Nutrition Committee, brought community stakeholders together at the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health, Trece Martires City for the 2025 Nutrition Forum, themed “Strengthening Food Security through Nutrition and Local Action” which emphasized grassroots solutions to malnutrition and food insecurity. The day-long event is part of the provincial celebration of the 51st Nutrition Month.
Ms. Dessa May R. Alibangbang, District Nutrition Program Coordinator, officially opened the forum with a warm welcome and acknowledgment of guests and participants. Dr. Nelson Soriano, Provincial Health Officer I delivered his opening address, stressing the holistic link between balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyle as foundational to public health.
Setting the program’s tone, Dr. Maria Victoria Salvatus‑Torres, Head of the Family Health Cluster, delivered a stirring Nutrition Message that food security is not just a goal but a commitment to dignity, equality and justice.
Ms. Angeles P. Peñalba, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, formally elaborated on this year’s nutrition month sub-theme, “Food at Nutrition Security, Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin!” – underscoring food and nutrition security as a fundamental human right.
Three distinguished speakers shared practical lessons and innovative models:
Mr. John M. Mendoza, Training Specialist I, Agricultural Training Institute Region IV‑A, presented “Strengthening Food System through Local Agriculture,” offering household planting strategies to boost food production.
Hon. Amanda G. Manalo, Barangay Chairperson of Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City, showcased the barangay initiative on Purok Governance Functionality Challenge fitting the topic, “Sa Barangay Nagsisimula: Food and Nutrition Security in Action.” She highlighted community-led efforts and innovations to supply fresh vegetables throughout their locale. Their initiative also addressed waste management concerns and provided livelihood to the community.
Mr. Alvin T. Cayetano, Nurse II, DepEd SDO Cavite, spoke on “Gulayan sa Paaralan: Cultivating Nutrition in our Schools,” illustrating how the program on school garden contribute to fostering nutrition education among students and the innovations they introduced over the years.
The forum concluded with an inspiring message from Ms. Liberty M. Guzman, District Nutrition Program Coordinator, urging all participants to harness their shared knowledge and uphold multi-sectorial partnerships to ensure sustainable, community-based nutrition systems. (A. Sarte)