The National Nutrition Council – National Capital Region (NNC-NCR) of the Department of Health recognized top performing LGUs and Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (OBNSs) with exemplary performance in nutrition program management and delivery of nutrition services during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held on 28 July 2016 at the Heritage Hotel, Pasay City.
The RNAC serves as the culminating event of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and the Search for the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS). Around 300 participants from all over Metro Manila attended the event including Mayors, Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs), members of local nutrition committees (LNCs), BNSs and other stakeholders.
According to NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo, MELLPI is the monitoring and evaluation mechanism of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) which is the country’s blueprint in addressing hunger and malnutrition. “The MELLPI which is conducted yearly by an inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) aims to monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the nutrition and related programs implemented by the local nutrition committees,” Federizo added.
Guest of Honor Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, in his keynote message, recognized that child hunger and malnutrition are two of the most serious societal problems affecting our country today. “If we can come up with innovative programs, organize and tap nutrition stakeholders and empower the community, we can come up with more solutions to address these problems. We need more champions in fighting hunger and malnutrition and in improving the welfare of our children,” Sen. Gatchalian said.
DOH-NCRO Regional Director and RNC Chair Dr. Ariel Valencia, RNPC Mila Federizo and RNET Chair Beth Florendo presented the awards of recognition.
The Green Banner (GB) Awardee for 2015 is Taguig City Nutrition Committee chaired by Mayor Lani Cayetano. The 1st and 2nd Runner Up Awardees are the cities of Valenzuela and Pasig, respectively.
Special awards were given to LGUs for their good practices in nutrition program management: Caloocan City (Most Improved Nutrition Program Management), Valenzuela City (Best in Program Effectiveness and Most Innovative LGU), Taguig City (Most Efficient in Nutrition Program Management), Makati City (Best LGU in Documentation of Nutrition Programs), Parañaque City (Best in LGU Investment in Nutrition), San Juan City (Best LGU in Resource Generation and Mobilization), Pasig City (Best LGU in Barangay Nutrition Program Management and Best LGU in Nutrition in Emergencies), Mandaluyong City (Best in Infant and Young Child Feeding Initiatives).
Former Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos and incumbent Mayor Menchie Abalos were also recognized for their efforts that enabled their city to be a contender for the Nutrition Honor Award, the highest award given by the National Nutrition Council.
Most Outstanding Barangay in Nutrition Program Management was awarded to Barangay Onse of San Juan City under the leadership of Barangay Captain Roberto Alba. Barangay Highway Hills in Mandaluyong City and Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City were awarded as 1st and 2nd Runners up, respectively.
The 2015 ROBNS is Mandaluyong City BNS Saloma Zamora while 1st and 2nd Runner up Awardees are Teresita Patiño of San Juan City and Rhea Benoy of Pasig City, respectively.
LNC Chairs former Mayors Benhur Abalos of Mandaluyong City, Maribel Eusebio of Pasig City and Jaime Medina of Municipality of Pateros together with San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez were recognized for their unwavering support, cooperation and presence in NNC-NCR’s activities in 2015.
Likewise, active and supportive NAOs were recognized: Councilor Reynaldo Monroy (Navotas), Julita Bernabe (Taguig), Dr. Mary Joyce Medina (former NAO of Pateros), Dr. Georgiana Galutera (Pasig), Dr. Benjamin Yson (Manila), Janet Olivarez (Parañaque), Dr. Rosalie Sto. Domingo (San Juan), Dr. Bernard Sese (Makati), Dr. Magdalena Meana (Muntinlupa), Dr. Albert Herrera (Marikina), Edna Malapitan (Caloocan) and former CNAO Menchie Abalos (Mandaluyong).
According to Mayor Lani Cayetano, nutrition is interrelated to other programs and should be prioritized as it is the foundation of good health. “Isa-isahin po natin ang mga programa ng ating lungsod na nakatahi, directly na nakaugat sa nutrition programs. Mananatili po kaming kapartner ng mga national government agencies sa pagsisiguro na ang nutrisyon ay manguna sapagkat ito ay ugat at pundasyon ng kalusugan nating pangkalahatan,” Mayor Cayetano said in her response as GB Awardee.
The annual Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony was held coinciding the celebration of the 42nd Nutrition Month this July with the theme, “First 1000 Days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan!”
(TAR/NPC MEVF/NNCNCR)