“Kulong man, dapat healthy pa din!” OPHO-Kalinga brings nutrition education, counseling to PDLs

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO)-Kalinga, led by Dr. Edward Tandingan, conducted a nutrition education and counseling session for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Kalinga District Jail in Bulanao, Tabuk City on September 3, 2026.

The activity aimed to raise awareness among PDLs about the importance of proper nutrition and healthy eating habits, emphasizing that access to adequate and nutritious food remains essential regardless of a person's circumstances.

Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Kristal Gail Dacio reminded the participants that being deprived of liberty should not mean being deprived of proper nutrition.

“Ti pannakabalud ket saan a rumbeng a kaipapananna ti pannakaawan iti nasayaat a nutrisyon. Dagiti Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) ket tao latta a kasapulanda ti umdas, natalged, ken nasustansya a taraon,” Dacio said.

She explained that PDLs remain vulnerable to health problems associated with poor nutrition, including malnutrition and other nutrition-related illnesses.

“Uray addaanda iti pagbaludan, mabalin latta a maapektaran ti salun-atda babaen iti malnutrisyon ken dagiti sakit a mainaig iti saan a nasayaat a pannangan,” she added.

Beyond the nutrition session, the OPHO team also monitored and provided technical assistance for the community garden maintained by the PDLs.

The garden initiative encourages the PDLs to take an active role in producing nutritious food while developing healthy and productive practices inside the facility.

The activity underscored the importance of nutrition education, access to healthy food, and practical wellness programs in promoting the overall health and well-being of PDLs.

Through initiatives such as nutrition counseling and community gardening, the provincial health office continues to promote the principle that health and proper nutrition should be accessible to everyone—even behind the walls of a jail.