THE Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas conveyed the significance of promoting healthy diets to achieve a #ZeroHunger world during the 2019 World Food Day (WFD) regional on-the-spot poster making contest held at SM City Iloilo, Sep. 17.
According to DA admin and finance division chief Zarlina B. Cuello, “we have to fight malnutrition and unhealthy diets as it contribute a lot to premature deaths. This year’s celebration theme calls for a concerted efforts of the various agencies involved in food and agricultural production to change the mindset of the people to think of the food that they consume.”
The annual poster making contest is conducted in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“It is one of the highlights of the WFD celebration every October 16. We have been inviting grades 4 to 6 pupils from any public and DepEd-accredited private schools regionwide to compete in the regional search. This year, our regional winner will be competing in the national on-the-spot poster making search on October 15 in Quezon City,” said James Earl E. Ogatis, DA regional information officer.
Ogatis said that the posters of the 22 regional contestants were judged as to creativity and presentation (40 percent), relevance to the theme (40 percent), and originality (20 percent).
Princess Belle Otero of Sto. Domingo Elementary School, Iloilo clinched the championship and received P5,000 cash prize and medal of recognition. Otero, who is now in the sixth grade, will be representing Western Visayas in the national competition.
“Winning came as a big bonus and surprise. For the national, I will try my best to promote healthy diet and the importance of agriculture in achieving zero hunger. I will bring home the glory for the whole Region 6,” shared Otero.
Khyle Columna of Oton Central Elementary School and Precious Rubijane Aspera of Jaro I Elementary School, Iloilo City placed second and third, respectively.
“These kids are in the frontline of information advocacy of anything good to the community. They are campus journalists and school artists who are giving out their talent in disseminating helpful information to the community so that human life will improve,” said Dr. Jude Thaddeus I. Iledan, OIC of Field Technical Assistance Division of DepEd Region 6.
Iledan furthered that the posters intend to persuade consumers to think of the nutritive value of food not just its taste.
“We labor for something safe and sustainable. The posters will inspire the people to invest in healthy living,” he added. (Sheila Mae H. Toreno/DA-RAFIS 6)
