AS unhealthy diets fuel preventable diseases across the country, families, health authorities, and advocates used art to call for change—painting a mural that highlights the urgent need for sustainable food systems and stronger food and nutrition policies.
Held in the Quezon Memorial Circle last July 25-26, the two-day event opened with a community mural, painted collaboratively by officials from the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Department of Health, and the Quezon City Government, alongside health advocates, parents, and children. The mural became a living symbol of the collective vision for a healthier food environment—one that promotes sustainability and protects families from noncommunicable diseases.
During the mural presentation, Health Undersecretary Albert Domingo, newly appointed Executive Director of NNC, likened the effort to unlocking a vision together:
“May genie’s lamp dahil kailangang kaskasin nang kaunti para lumabas ang ating pinapangarap [na healthy food environment]. Ang mga dahon sa mga sanga ng puno ay kamay ng iba’t ibang tao na siyang magbibigay ng buhay sa ating adbokasiya.”
The second day of the event culminated in a healthy market fair, where farmer-cooperatives and vendors supported by the Quezon City Government and the Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs (DA-AMAS) showcased an abundant selection of fresh produce.
To further promote sustainable food systems, the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) distributed free seeds and seedlings, encouraging families to grow their own nutritious food at home. Together, these efforts highlighted the vital role of local producers and government support for an access to healthier, more affordable options.
Alongside the merchants, the fair also featured free blood pressure screenings from the Philippine Society of Hypertension, a nutrition information hub from the NNC, a health corner by Quezon City Health Department, and an exhibit by ImagineLaw highlighting the sodium content of common Filipino food items.
Participants also engaged with the Pagkain Check Nutrition Calculator, an interactive tool that helps identify products high in sugar, sodium, or unhealthy fats.
Atty. Mikhail Laurence Millan of ImagineLaw reinforced the advocacy for healthier food environments: “Nutrition ang first defense natin laban sa mga sakit. Para maprotektahan ang mga pamilya, kailangan natin ng isang healthy food environment where unhealthy products carry labels, children are shielded from aggressive food marketing, at ang high-sodium items ay reformulated para hindi maging health risk.”
Quezon City’s Chief Nutritionist Jirah Sideco highlighted the city’s leadership in embedding nutrition and sustainability into governance, emphasizing that policies will continue to be strengthened to protect families.
She also urged fellow local governments to act decisively: “Local governments have the power to transform our communities. Ang lungsod ang pinakamalapit sa tao, and our policies help shape what people see, what they choose, and they help people realize kung ano ba talaga ang isang healthy food environment.”
Building on these commitments, Usec. Domingo called for collective action. “Maraming tumulong sa paggawa ng mural na ‘to na hindi kasama sa program organizers—mahalaga ito dahil kayo rin po ang inaasahan nating lahat na sama-samang magtulak ng ating adbokasiya. [Patuloy nating] pag-usapan ang isang healthy food environment para sa ating bayan.”
