Mayoyao, Ifugao—The Provincial Nutrition Council awarded certificates of recognition and cash to the winners of the 2012 search for nutrition-friendly school.

Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Mary Josephine Dulawan lauded the winners and encouraged them to work for the betterment of school children by promoting nutritious snacks in their respective schools.

Mayoyao Central School and the Hapid Elementary School were declared champions in the central school and elementary school categories, respectively.

Kiangan Central School landed second in the central school category while Lamut Central School was the third placer.

For the elementary school level, Balangbang School in Mayoyao emerged second place with Baguinge, Kiangan in the third place.

Aside from the certificate of recognition, winners for both elementary and central schools category received P4,000 for the first place; P2,000, second; and P1,500 for the placers.

The criteria for the contest include health and sanitation of the school (40 percent), nutrition or content of the canteen (30 percent), and school garden (30 percent).

The winners were chosen based on the recommendation of the PNC technical working group which evaluated eight competing schools.

The search for BNFS is one of the initiatives of the provincial government to ensure safe and nutritious snacks are served to pupils. It advocates for nutritious foods for Filipinos, and promotes the choice of selecting indigenous, native delicacies with high nutritive value. ( Marcelo L. Lihgawon, PIA- Ifugao)