LGU - Balud Nutrition Committee

02/06/2026

LGU-Balud
Municipal Nutrition Committee
DOH-PMNP, NNC
SBC-UNICEF

WASH and Nutrition Program
May 28 to June 01, 2026

WASH and Nutrition Program for Mothers and Caregivers of stunted children 6-23 months old

The WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and Nutrition Program was implemented to improve the health and well-being of children under five years old, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and vulnerable households in the community through integrated water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition interventions.
The program aimed to address common health concerns such as malnutrition, poor hygiene practices, waterborne diseases, and inadequate sanitation facilities.
A simultaneous activities were conducted in 32 barangays composed of 4 clustered barangays ( 8 barangays every cluster) through community participation of mothers and caregivers of 6-23 months old stunted children, health workers and barangay officials.

Key WASH activities included hygiene promotion sessions on proper handwashing, safe water handling, and environmental cleanliness such as
community clean-up drives. Sanitation campaigns were also discussed to encourage proper waste disposal and disease prevention.
Nutrition interventions were focused on promoting healthy feeding practices and improving nutritional status among stunted children in particular. These included nutrition education sessions on exclusive breastfeeding (0-6 months), complementary feeding (6 months onwards) and handwashing before feeding. Parents and caregivers were taught how to prepare nutritious, affordable, and locally available meals.

The program ended successfully and 360
participants demonstrated improved handwashing practices, increased knowledge of balanced diets, and showed greater participation in community sanitation activities.
Continued collaboration among stakeholders and sustained community engagement are recommended to ensure long-term impact and sustainability of WASH and nutrition initiatives.
Hygiene kits and water tumblers were distributed among the participants.

The Municipal Nutrition Office is beyond grateful to the Punong Barangays especially to the host barangays;
Hon. Nicomedes Estopin - Brgy. Calumpang (Coastal A Cluster)
Hon. Gina P. Zafra - Quinayangan Diotay (Upland Cluster)
Hon. Judy Nepomuceno - Brgy. Panguiranan (Coastal B Cluster)
Hon. Eugene B. Abelita - Poblacion (Poblacion Cluster).

To our ever active and humble MHO, Doc June Orense and RHU personnel, thank you for being our strong partner in the implementation of health and nutrition services.
To our Municipal Mayor and MNC Chairperson, Hon. Rodolfo O. Estrella, Jr., for the untiring support rendered to have a well-nourished and healthy Baludeños.

📍Note: A Social Behavioral Change (SBC) activity PMNP funded and managed by UNICEF.

22/05/2026

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

LGU-Balud
Municipal Nutrition Committee
DOH-PMNP, NNC

TilipoN ANAY 2026
April 27, 2026
Municipal Covered Court
Poblacion Balud, Masbate

The recently conducted TilipoN ANAY (Buntis Congress) 2026 through the Municipal Nutrition Office (MNO) under the leadership of the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Rodolfo O. Estrella, Jr.
A collaborative efforts of MNO, RHU-Balud and MSWDO, to have safe motherhood and reduction of infant deaths. This activity gathered almost 200 participants; buntis (expectant mommies), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).

During the activity, Information and Education Campaign on the "First 1000 Days" was given the major highlight from the topics of the esteemed resource speakers, Sir John Paul Alob and Sir Francis Ruado, RHU-Balud nurses.
Inspirational messages were also shared by our Idol Ko Si Mommies; Balud Municipal College - School Nurse, Ma'am Donna Mae S. Adrias, and our very supportive Barangay Captain, Madam Vhel B. Estrella, focusing on self-care, journey of motherhood, breastfeeding, complementary feeding and Pinggang Pinoy both for pregnant and lactating women.

The "Hakab Na" demonstration was gladly shown by our selected breastfeeding mommies/nanays through step-by-step process with the guidance of Midwife III-HEPO, Ma'am Jean Christy M. Alvarez. After this, a dance presentation led by Ms. Franzine P. Gonzaga; Mutya Ng Balud 2023 and First 1000 Days Ambassador, brought a lively atmosphere.

The activity ended successfully with a fruitful message from the Municipal Nutrition Officer, Ma'am Jessenin D. Alcagno, asking for a strong commitment from the participants to be advocates of the First 1000 Days. She also expressed her gratitude for the untiring supports by the Municipal Health Officer, Dr. June B. Orense and Municipal Mayor, Hon. Rodolfo O. Estrella, Jr. She concluded that LGU-Balud is deeply committed to strengthen Child and Maternal care services which lead to the prevention of stunting in the municipality.

🎤📷 Sir Mark Oliva and Ma'am Donna Mae S. Adrias. Tyvm 🩷

📍Ang mga batang ginamit sa activity ay may pahintulot ng kanilang mga nanay na kuhanan ng mga larawan.

🤰🤰🤰🤰🤰🤰🤰

Packaged Benefits for the participants: Free meals, free transpo (Salamat sa mga Punong Barangays) buntis kits, free multivitamins, RUSF for Nutritionally-At-Risk (NAR) Pregnant Women (PW), First 1000 Days IEC collaterals, and PhilHealth registration.

Note: This activity is funded by Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) and managed by UNICEF.

26/04/2026

Every 13 minutes, a child or adolescent dies as a result of violence.

For those who survive, violence can lead to immediate and long-term health consequences like injuries, depression, harmful use of to***co, alcohol and drugs znc unintended pregnancies.

It’s time to for every child.

17/04/2026

Kangaroo mother care means holding a small or preterm baby skin-to-skin and exclusive breastfeeding.

It dramatically improves health outcomes while meeting baby’s needs for:
💕 warmth
💕 nutrition
💕 stimulation
💕 safety
💕 love

17/04/2026

Just like our "Pangumagat Festival"! Sayang na -cancelled dahil sa oil crisis😌

FESTIVALS OUTPERFORM BILLBOARDS AS TOURISM INVESTMENTS, EVEN IN TIMES OF CRISIS, STUDIES SUGGEST 🎭🇵🇭

In an era where digital noise and static advertisements clutter the landscape, tourism experts are shifting their focus toward a more dynamic investment: the cultural festival. Recent research suggests that local government units (LGUs) and tourism boards see a far greater return on investment (ROI) when funding community events rather than traditional billboard campaigns.

The evidence indicates that while billboards provide passive brand awareness, festivals create "active" tourism. These events don't just put a destination on the map; they foster deep emotional connections that translate into long-term economic stability and community resilience—even during global crises.

THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT: ECONOMICS AND BRANDING 📊

Data from recent industry reports highlights a stark contrast between static media and live events. While billboards are often viewed as a "one-way" medium with limited organic reach, festivals benefit from a social media multiplier effect. Travelers today are more likely to share immersive, "Instagrammable" experiences than a picture of a roadside sign. This user-generated content acts as free, authentic advertising that drives revisit intentions and brand loyalty.

Furthermore, the economic footprint of a festival extends far beyond the event grounds. From hotel bookings to local artisan sales, festivals inject millions into local economies, providing a direct boost to small businesses that billboard-only strategies simply cannot replicate.

RESILIENCE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY ☝

Perhaps the most compelling argument for festival investment is its performance during downturns. During economic recessions or health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, festivals have proven to be vital tools for social and economic recovery.

Studies show that even when mass gatherings were restricted, adapted "hybrid" or smaller-scale local festivals helped maintain social cohesion and mental wellness. In regions like Catalonia and Hawaii, historical and sports festivals have been used strategically to sustain business confidence when international travel slumped. Unlike a billboard, which remains static regardless of the social climate, a festival can adapt to meet the immediate emotional and economic needs of a community.

BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL 📈

Beyond the balance sheet, festivals offer "non-monetary" public benefits. They foster civic pride, encourage volunteerism, and strengthen local identity. Experts argue that these events build "social capital," making communities more resilient to future crises by reinforcing the bonds between citizens and their local government.

As tourism boards look toward 2026 and beyond, the message from researchers is clear: if you want a destination to thrive, stop buying signs and start building experiences.

References:

A comparative analysis of the role of festivals and events in destination branding. (2023). Journal of Tourism and Cultural Management Studies, 11(1). https://theeducationjournals.com/index.php/JTCMS/article/view/159/143

Analysis of participants’ motivation, quality, satisfaction and loyalty. (2020). Journal of Travel & Management Studies, 10(4), 1177. https://tmstudies.net/index.php/ectms/article/view/117

COVID-19’s impact on festival celebrations. (2026). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/823747586/

Encatc. (2009). Tourism, festivals and cultural events in times of crisis.https://www.encatc.org/media/287-tourism_festivals_and_cultural_events_in_times_of_crisis.pdf

Events and festivals in times of uncertainty. (2018). European Review of Social Psychology, 28(1), 111–132.https://ersj.eu/journal/2246/download/Events+and+Festivals+in+Times+of+Uncertainty.pdf

GovMarket News. (2025, June 15). Tourism-fueled events offer billions in economic impact for cities nationwide*. https://govmarketnews.com

Megasign Inc. (2026, February 26). How effective is billboard advertising? (ROI & brand awareness). https://www.megasigninc.com/blog/how-effective-is-billboard-advertising-roi-impact/

Social media's impact on tourists’ festival revisiting intentions. (2020). International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 5(1), 31–45.

The advertisements effects on festival and destination marketing. (2016).

ScholarWorks, University of Massachusetts Amherst.https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/220132356.pdf

The impact of local festivals on social cohesion and community. (2025). *Malque Social Journal, 11(1), 11101. https://malque.pub/ojs/index.php/msj/article/download/11101/4971/67855

TicketFairy. (2024, August 31). Festivals boosting tourism: Measuring and maximizing economic impact. https://www.ticketfairy.com/blog/what-is-the-economic-impact-of-festivals-on-tourism

TicketFairy. (2025, August 22). Tourism board co-marketing that converts for festivals. https://www.ticketfairy.com/blog/tourism-board-co-marketing-that-converts-for-festivals

UMN Extension. (n.d.). Community festivals—Big benefits, but risks, too. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/vital-connections/community-festivals-big-benefits-risks-too