LAL-LO, Cagayan- “Whatever the achievements of Lal-lo, you will achieve these too”, are the challenging words of Hon. Florence Oliver Pascual, the Vice Mayor and Municipal Nutrition Committee Vice Chairperson during the benchmarking of selected Local Nutrition Committee (LNC) members of CAR. The activity was held on June 14-15, 2017 in Lal-lo, Cagayan, one of the recipients of the Nutrition Honor Award, the highest award given by NNC to outstanding LGU performers of nutrition programs.

Seventeen selected local nutrition committee members from the provinces of Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province participated in the activity composed of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) of Abra province Dr. Antonio Valera, the PHO and Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) of Mt. Province Dr. Penelope Domogo, together with delegates from Danglas, Tayum, Peñarubia, Bangued of Abra, Sablan and Tublay of Benguet and PNC member of Abra. They were accompanied by Nutrition Officers Nancy Paclos and Diane Joaquin of NNC-CAR.

The team was able to visit an island barangay, Barangay San Antonio, where the outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar in Cagayan and a contender for the 2016 Regional Outstanding BNS in Region II hail from. The participants were inspired by her confidence in dealing with other people and her innovative activities such as Duck Swak na Swak Plus, Oh My Halaman, Mais, Kanais-nais, Making Money from “mani,” among others.

The team was able to also witness the livelihood programs in the municipality which includes the Lubeg wine production in barangay San Lorenzo and processing of Citronella products of Barangay Paranum, both managed by women’s organization. The local Rural Improvement Club in the area had an active role in mobilizing the women’s organization to manage livelihood programs.

Dr. Maria Concepcion Abbang, the Municipal Health Officer and Municipal Nutrition Action Officer of Lal-lo shared the good practices of the municipality which include Breastfeeding Friend ng Barangay, Bamboo Bank, “We Care” Program, Eco Saver’s Program and many more. NEP