Baguio City - Nutrition champions in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were recognized during the 2021 Virtual Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) on October 21, 2021. The awarding ceremony was conducted via zoom and was livestreamed on NNC-CAR’s official Facebook page.
The RNAC is an annual activity organized by the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) and the National Nutrition Council-CAR (NNC-CAR) which aims to give due recognition to local government units (LGUs), local nutrition workers, and schools divisions who have performed the best with regard to nutrition implementation. The Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI Pro) tool serves as the major basis for the awarding ceremony.
This year’s Local Nutrition Focal Point (LNFP) awardees were Ms. Corazon Dawong, former District Nutrition Program Coordinator (DNPC) of Ifugao Province as 2019 Local NPC of the Year-CAR, Dr. Marcela Tinoyan, former Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) of Tublay, Benguet as 2019 Local NAO of the Year-CAR, Ms. Noemi Garcia, Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) of Alfonso Tabora, Baguio City as 2019 Regional Outstanding BNS, and Ms. Magdalena Sacpa, BNS of Central, Kapangan, Benguet as 1st Runner-Up Outstanding BNS.
The Municipality of Tublay in Benguet was also recognized as a contender for the 2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award. The 2nd Year CROWN Award is the subsequent award for the Nutrition Honor Award, the highest recognition given to LGUs.
Moreover, six Special Awards were conferred this year. Barangay Basil of Tublay, Benguet and Barangay Pucsusan of Baguio City were adjudged as 2021 Best Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNC) by the Provincial/ City Nutrition Evaluation Teams of Benguet Province and Baguio City.
The Best School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) Implementers for SY 2020-2021 by virtue of RNC Resolution No. 2, s. 2020 were also recognized. The awardees were Magaogao Elementary School (Kalinga), Nangobongan Primary School (Abra), and Lepanto Elementary School (Benguet) as finalists, Butique Elementary School (Mt. Province) as 3rd runner-up, Tinoc Elementary School (Ifugao) as 2nd runner-up, Lanna Elementary School (Tabuk City) as 1st runner-up, and Jose P. Rizal Elementary School (Baguio City) as the Most Outstanding SBFP Implementer.
The winners of the 2021 Cordillera Nutrisong Contest were also spotlighted during the ceremony: Province of Apayao in 3rd place, Province of Ifugao in 2nd place, and Province of Benguet in 1st place.
Furthermore, LGUs with below 10% stunting prevalence among 0-59 months children in 2020 and LGUs with consistent decrease in the stunting prevalence among 0-59 months children from 2018-2020 were given due recognition. Twenty-seven LGUs in each category were awarded.
The last Special Award was given to the retired NAOs and DNPC for their invaluable contributions in promoting good nutrition in the region. The retirees recognized were Dr. Amelia Abulencia, former Municipal Health Officer (MHO) and MNAO of Pudtol, Apayao, Ms. Eusebia Balocnit, former MNAO of Paracelis, Mt. Province, Ms. Myrna Ruth Borgonia, former MNAO of Bangued Abra, Dr. Ignacio Cawas, former Provincial Health Officer and Provincial NAO of Kalinga Province, Ms. Corazon Dawong, former DNPC of Ifugao Province, Ms. Helen Kimmayong, former MNAO of Bauko, Mt. Province, Ms. Ma. Adelaida Realce, former MNAO of Lubuagan, Kalinga, and Dr. Marcela Tinoyan, former MHO and MNAO of Tublay, Benguet.
SIMON B. COPEZ & BELLA M. BASALONG
