Three (3) Local Nutrition Committees (LNCS) and a Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) were recognized by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in the recently concluded National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony which was held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City last 12 December 2017.

The Local Nutrition Committees of the municipality of Ivana, Batanes and the province of Nueva Vizcaya were among the awardees as 2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance award. On the other hand, the Nutrition Committee of the City of Ilagan bagged home the 1st Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance award. The 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award was given to LGUs that obtained a score of at least 95% for two consecutive years while the 1st Year CROWN award was given to LGUs that scored at least 90% for the year.

In addition, Ms. Concepcion Vanessa Cabugao, BNS of Brgy. Radiwan, Ivana, Batanes, was awarded as the 2016 First-runner up National Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (NOBNS). Assistant Secretary of Health and NNC Executive Director, Hon. Maria-Bernardita T. Flores, personally evaluated Ms. Cabugao for its 2016 BNCs Nutrition Program Implementation.

In her welcome message, Asec Flores said,

” Today, we celebrate our champions, the local government units and their local chief executives, their legislative councils, their functionaries, their community members particularly parents who worked together to plan and implement their nutrition programs efficiently. We celebrate how these efforts have produced results in terms of reduced levels of child undernutrition and overnutrition.”

In behalf of Governor and PNC Chair Hon. Carlos M. Padilla, former Governor and honorary PNC chair, Hon. Ruth Raña Padilla gave her respone for the 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance award. She emphasized that this award is fruit of success of people’s participation and continous successful nutrition program implementation. She also accepted the challenge of sustaining nutrition program in the coming years.

More than 500 guests participated in the honor ceremony led by DOH Secretary and NNC Governing Board Chair Dr. Francisco T. Duque III represented by Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Maria Francia M. Laxamana.