MUNTINLUPA CITY, Oct. 24-- As an annual event of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) – Calabarzon to honor and give due recognition to outstanding Local Government Units (LGU) and Local Nutrition Workers (LNW) in the field of nutrition in the region, the 2019 Calabarzon Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) was held last 23 October 2019 at Acacia Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Around 300 guests and awardees attended the event, who were welcomed by Assistant Regional Director Dr. Paula Paz M. Sydiongco of the Department of Health (DOH) – Calabarzon, in behalf of Regional Director and Regional Sub-Committee on Nutrition (RSCN) Chair Dr. Eduardo C. Janairo. The RNAC was graced by the presence of NNC Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang as the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker. In her message, she encouraged all the LGUs and LNWs to scale up the implementation of PPAN nutrition interventions and sustain their gains.
The major awards given included: 24 Certificates of Quality Nutrition Program (QNP); Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS) to Ms. Hazelaine D. Quiambao of Barangay Aniban II, Bacoor City and 22 finalists; Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee (ROBNC) to Barangay San Jose, Tagaytay City and 5 finalists; Regional Outstanding Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) to Mr. Roberto D. Gajo of Quezon Province and 2 finalists; Regional Outstanding District/City Nutrition Program Coordinator (D/CNPC) to Ms. Dessa May R. Alibangbang of Cavite Province and 2 finalists; and Special awards to national awardees and nutrition partners.
The Certificate of QNP was given this year, for the first time, in lieu of the Green Banner Award. This was given to top performing LGUs with high ratings in the new Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Pro (MELLPI Pro) tool. Unlike its predecessor, the new Green Banner was conferred to all LGUs which complied to standards based on the given cut-off score of 75 (75-84 is Satisfactory and 85 and above is Very Satisfactory) and with an average rating not lower than three (standard) in the six dimensions indicated in the tool. The criteria for computing the score is 60% from Dimensions 1-5 and 40% from Dimension 6 (change in nutritional status). The new Green Banner aims to monitor outputs and outcomes of nutrition program implementation of local government units and monitor quality of implementation of LGUs based on compliance to nutrition related policies and standards.
QNP awardees were given certificates of recognition, ROBNC and other awardees were given plaques of recognition, while ROBNS awardees were also given cash prizes aside from the plaques. The awardees expressed their continuous support and active implementation of the different nutrition programs and innovative projects in their respective areas through a short response speech after receiving their awards. Amongst those who gave responses were Mayor Webster D. Letargo, in behalf of Governor Danilo E. Suarez of Quezon Province (QNP – Province), Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla of Bacoor City (QNP – City), Barangay Chair Jojit S. Desingaño of Barangay San Jose, Tagaytay City (ROBNC), and Ms. Quiambao of Brgy. Aniban II, Bacoor City (ROBNS).
The RNAC is the culmination activity of the 2019 MELLPI Pro, Search for ROBNS, and Search for ROBNC which were participated by the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET). The members of the RNET are representatives from different regional line agencies and non-government organizations (NGO) in Calabarzon and were also given special citation for their efforts during the MELLPI Pro and regular meetings and other activities conducted by NNC for the year 2019. (EMBL)
