Sta. Rosa City learns about good nutrition on air

Rosenian mothers’ ways on learning about nutrition got an upgrade as the City of Santa Rosa participated in the Nutrition School on the Air (NSOA) of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region IV-A during the whole month of March.

NSOA used broadcast media, specifically radio, as a means to disseminate essential nutrition information to the public, to enhance knowledge and practice of good nutrition, and to promote consumption of vegetables and fruits.

“Ikalawang pagkakataon na natin itong makikinig sa NSOA, pero noong una ay kami-kami lang kasi hindi coordinated sa region (NNC) ang participation namin. But now we have identified participants and submitted their names to the NNC. Susundin na rin natin ang iba pang isinasaad sa mechanics ng NSOA,” explained City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) Carmencita Catindig, adding that they have a minimum of 10 participants per barangay or an estimated 180 participants in the whole City.

Catindig also said that the NSOA is a lot like Pabasa sa Nutrisyon, except that learning is facilitated by a radio host.

“Participating mothers in the City of Santa Rosa are now tuning in at DZJV ZBNI 1458 kHz every day from Monday to Friday, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM for the NSOA. Kasabay na ginagawa rin ito sa probinsya ng Cavite, Rizal at Quezon,” said the CNAO. She clarified that all interested individuals 15 years old and above are qualified to join the NSOA and is not limited to mothers only.

Known as Paaralang Panghimpapawid Ukol sa Gulay, Prutas at Wastong Nutrisyon in Pilipino, the NSOA has 10 modules on promotion of good nutrition and another 10 modules on fruits and vegetables.

According to the mechanics of the NSOA, after submitting the names of participants to the NNC Regional Office, a pre-test or diagnostic test is given. Aside from the pre-test, there will be daily quizzes after every module finished.

“Participants will answer the simple questions announced by radio host and they will give their answer sheet with their full names on it to the assigned Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) in their area. This will be collected weekly,” said Catindig. Correct answers to the questions are announced by the host every Monday.

Just like in an actual school, there will also be a post-test to evaluate the learning of the participants by comparing the results to that of the pre-test.

“Kung may mga tests tayo, syempre po sa katapusan ng pag-aaral meron din tayong graduation. The NNC will give certificates of participation and completion to our participants as well as medals in recognition of their good performance. Kaya naman we are really looking forward to graduating our first batch of NSOA participants this year,” Catindig shared. (CIO Santa Rosa/MVC)