16/08/2026
#𝐍𝐍𝐂𝟒𝐀𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 𝟓𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡
This August 2026 marks the celebration of the 59th ASEAN Month, commemorating the founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its enduring commitment to drive regional peace, economic growth, and collective bargaining power for its member states, including the Philippines. ASEAN serves as a home to nearly 700 million people and is considered as the world’s 5th largest economy. By 2030, ASEAN is poised to become the 4th largest economy in the world.
With the theme "𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫," this year's observance underscores the importance of unity, collaboration, and collective action in addressing emerging challenges and shaping a more resilient and sustainable future. The celebration is likewise made even more significant as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, leading regional cooperation with unity, clarity, and purpose to achieve a people-centered and future-ready ASEAN.
𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬' 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬:
1. 𝙋𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨 : Championing peace and regional stability through dialogue, adherence to international law, and strengthened cooperation on emerging and non-traditional security threats.
2. 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙨 : Building systemic connections towards a shared prosperity through economic integration, digital transformation, and inclusive and sustainable development that benefits aII ASEAN peoples.
3. 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 : Empowering ASEAN's people by fostering social inclusion, protecting vulnerable groups, and promoting a sense of shared identity and community.
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) is part of the health and nutrition sector under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. In solidarity with this sectoral celebration, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) CALABARZON reaffirms its commitment to promoting nutrition as a cornerstone of health, human development, and sustainable progress. Guided by the 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐏𝐏𝐀𝐍) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖, NNC CALABARZON continues to work closely with local government units, national government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and local communities to address the region's nutrition challenges through 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, primarily through the provision of 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝟏𝟒𝟕 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬 (𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬).
As we navigate our future together, let us align our decisions, strengthen our partnerships, and align our initiatives toward achieving better nutrition outcomes, healthier communities, and a more resilient CALABARZON. Together, let us build a future where these are not merely aspirations, but enduring foundations of a healthier Philippines and a stronger, more resilient ASEAN Community.
Written by:
NO II Samantha E. Bantilan, RND
NO III Theresa A. Rivas, RND, MPH
RNPC Lourdes Bulante-Orongan, RND, MDM
National Nutrition Council (Official)
ASEAN
