The private sector plays an important role in the health and wellness of the Filipino family. For example, the local government unit of Caloocan got a big boost when it partnered with Nestlé Philippines for the first time in promoting its health and wellness program for its residents.
No less than Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo Rigor “Along” Malapitan felt elated that the food manufacturing giant decided to partner with them to enable them to scale up the program.
“To be honest, the local government unit cannot do it alone. Although Caloocan City has been implementing its health and wellness programs before, the entry of Nestlé Philippines has made a big difference because it could serve more beneficiaries in our city,” Malapitan told the BusinessMirror in an interview on August 20, 2023 at the sidelines of the Family Wellness Festival at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
“We’re delighted to collaborate with Nestlé Philippines to bring the Family Wellness Festival to our community. This is an opportunity for families to come together and enjoy a day of fun, health, and togetherness,” he added.
Nutrition begins at home
Joey Uy III, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs of Nestlé Philippines, said the company believes that the foundation of good nutrition begins with the family at home.
“We at Nestlé Philippines believe that good nutrition starts at home. We are bringing Nestlé Family Wellness Festival closer to communities as we strive to provide residents of Caloocan City with the nutrition information and wellness tips that can help them improve their health,” Uy said.
He said Nestlé Philippines believes that partnering with local government units that share similar goals with their ongoing nutrition programs will make a huge impact as it will better inform and encourage residents of Caloocan City to prioritize their family’s well-being.
During the Family Wellness Festival, Caloocan City also provided comprehensive health and wellness services to its constituents such as X-ray services, fluoride treatment, and HIV testing services. There were also free haircuts and massages offered and environmental awareness games.
Meanwhile, the Batang Kankaloo children also enjoyed the story-telling activities led by Caloocan First Lady and Chairperson of Cultural Affairs and Tourism Department, Aubrey Malapitan. Even the fur-babies of Caloocan benefited from the day of health and wellness with the veterinary consultations and anti-rabies vaccine offering for pets.
Nestlé Philippines also invited experts from its partner organizations to share their insights on key topics that touch on the overall wellness of individuals, families, and the planet.
Veggie garden
For its part, the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) talked about promoting nutrition and health for the family, while the Department of Agriculture shared tips on starting your own veggie garden based on its Food Always in the Home (FAITH) program.
This was followed by a cooking demo to further promote “sarap-sustansya” meals for the family. A representative from non-profit organization Pure Oceans then gave a talk about caring for the environment and how our collective action as its stewards can make a positive impact on the wellness of our planet.
“In striving to be the “Kasambuhay for Good,” we are committed to helping educate Filipinos about the importance of good nutrition, health, and wellness, especially for our children. We will continue to offer nutritious, affordable, and accessible food and beverage options, and help drive education on healthier food and lifestyle choices. Through partnerships with local government units who share in this mission, we hope to be able to help more and more Filipino families live happier and healthier lives,” added Uy.
