December 9, 2016 was a momentous event for local government units (LGUs) with outstanding performance in nutrition program management. About 320 awardees composed of Governors, Vice-Governors, Barangay Chairpersons, Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators, Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), members of the provincial/city/ municipal/barangay nutrition committees, members of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC), Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) and Regional Nutrition Technical Working Group and members of the Central Luzon Media Group were all gathered at the Century Hotel, Balibago, Angeles City to witness the recognition of 9 LGUs and 16 BNSs during the simple Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony or RNAC.

The RNAC is an annual event of the Regional Nutrition Committee aimed to provide a venue to recognize outstanding LGUs and BNSs in a fitting tribute. LGUs which received the most coveted nutrition award for outstanding implementation in 2015 are

Bulacan Province – Outstanding Province in the Region

Mabalacat City – Outstanding City in the Region

Talavera, Nueva Ecija – Outstanding Municipality in the Region

The Province of Bulacan was also recognized for receiving a national award as Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) on 13 December 2016 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The CROWN award is given to a municipality, city or province that has been adjudged by the interagency regional nutrition evaluation team as outstanding in the region in the implementation of its nutrition action plan for three consecutive years. As CROWN awardee, the Province of Bulacan as represented by Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvardo, took the challenge of sustaining their efforts and their desire for excellence to improve the nutrition situation of his constituents.

The RNC also recognized provincial green banner awardees. The Green Banner is given to local government units that have consistently shown outstanding performance in efforts for nutrition improvement for three consecutive years. Green Banner awardees for 2015 are Dilasag, Aurora; Bagac, Bataan, Bulakan, Bulacan; Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Lubao, Pampanga; Anao, Tarlac; San Felipe, Zambales.

One of the highlights of the RNAC was the responses given by the representatives of the three outstanding LGU-implementers in Central Luzon. The good father of Bulacan Province, Governor Alvarado, who is also the chair of the Provincial Nutrition Committee, felt elated for the recognition that the province received but admitted that it was the third CROWN award that the province got from the national level. Although the province fails several times to surpass the second year CROWN maintenance, he expressed his hope that the province will soon obtain the long-awaited Nutrition Honor Award with persistence and perseverance.

Mabalacat City Vice-Mayor Christian Halili was also delighted to receive the award for the city as it was the very first regional award that Mabacalat City had received since its proclamation as a city in 2013. With his assurance of support, the young and vibrant vice mayor, looks forward to sustaining the efforts which Mabalacat City has started, with support from members of the City Nutrition Committee.

Counselor Angie Soleta of Talavera, Nueva Ecija, on the other hand, was very grateful for the award. She narrated that it took 16 years for the municipality to finally bag an award from the regional level. She also expressed her support to sustain the good practices in implementing nutrition programs and will double their efforts in improving the nutrition situation of their constituents.

Guests and awardees were equally thrilled with the presence of Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando of the Bulacan Province who also graced the RNAC and willingly agreed to have posterity photos. Vice-Governor Fernando was likewise supportive of the nutrition program of the province through passage and adoption of local ordinances, the very recent one was on encouraging the offices in the province to establish their own lactation stations.

The RNAC this year was fortunate to have as master and lady of ceremonies Mr. Albert Lacanlale of Central Newsweek and Ms. Alma Escasa of Big Ben’s Project-Aslag Kapampangan Artist, Inc., respectively. Both Mr. Lacanlale and Ms. Escasa are active members of the Central Luzon Media Group.

Angelita M. Pasos

Nutrition Officer III