BAGUIO CITY- “A healthy and well-nourished community members who contributes to a safe, orderly and sustainable society” is the mission of the Barangay Nutrition Committee of Gibraltar, Baguio City which they shared as they welcomed the members of the National Nutrition Evaluation Team (NNET) in their barangay last April 10, 2019. Brgy Gibraltar together with four other barangays in the city of Baguio were evaluated for the Nutrition Honor Award, the highest award given by the National Nutrition Council to a Local Government Unit with outstanding performance on nutrition.
“Binnadang”, a Kankanaey word which means lending a hand or giving help is one of the innovative activities of the barangay where the BNC members including the barangay Secretary and Treasurer and SK Chairman contribute P200.00 monthly from their honoraria to augment the expenses incurred in implementing the BNC planned programs and other activities. This was conceptualized since the utilization of fund has been a problem of the barangay because of the stringent and tedious procurement process one BNC member said that all procurement regardless of amount must be posted in Philgeps, such that even 1 bulb of garlic or onions/1 pc of ballpen must be subjected to the said process.
Aside from Barangay Gibraltar, four other barangays namely Cabinet Hill, San Roque, Atok Trail and Alfonso Tabora were also visited by the NNET and they also presented their nutrition programs and innovative activities. Meanwhile, the City Nutrition Committee was evaluated from April 8-10 and the feedbacking by the NNET was done on April 12, 2019 at Fortune Restaurant, Baguio City in the presence of City Nutrition Committee members and representatives from the visited barangays. Ms Cynthia Vengco the team leader of the national nutrition evaluation team said the results will be finalized after the national deliberation. The mayor though said that it seems that what he heard were very positive and thus he looks forward to a positive result. Dr Galpo who gave the closing remarks thanked everyone for their support and she reminded everyone that the real battle is winning against malnutrition.
