29 Aug 2014, Quezon City - The National Nutrition Council-National Capital Region (NNC-NCR) of the Department of Health recognized outstanding local government units (LGUs) with exemplary performance in nutrition program management and service delivery in 2013 during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held on 29 August 2014 at the Grand Ballroom of Crowne Plaza Hotel in Quezon City.
The Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony is an annual event looked forward to by local nutrition committees and nutrition workers and partners in Metro Manila. Top performing LGUs were given award of recognition based on the results of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) conducted earlier this year by the inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) chaired by Ms. Lorna Cruz of DILG-NCR and Vice-Chair Marlene V. Navarro of Grace Family Helper Project.
“MELLPI is the monitoring and evaluation scheme of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) which is conducted every year by an inter-agency RNET in all cities and municipality in NCR. During the MELLPI visit, the RNET assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of the local nutrition program implementation through desk review and interview with the members of the local nutrition committees (LNCs). Validation visits are also done in randomly chosen barangays to check if indeed, nutrition programs are in place and families of underweight children are reached”, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo explains.
The 2013 Green Banner Award was conferred to Taguig City Nutrition Committee chaired by Mayor Lani Cayetano in recognition of their efficient and effective management and implementation of their local nutrition program. The 1st Runner Up Award of Recognition was given to Valenzuela City.
LGUs that have excelled in specific categories were also given awards. Special Awards were given to Valenzuela City (Most Improved in Nutritional Status of Children), Pasig City (Best in Documentation of Nutrition Programs and Best in Barangay Nutrition Program Implementation), Taguig City (Most Innovative in Nutrition Program Implementation and Best in Resource Generation and Mobilization for Nutrition Programs), Mandaluyong City (Best in LGU Investments in Nutrition Program) and Quezon City (Best in Infant and Young Child Feeding Initiatives).
Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (OBNSs) were also recognized during the awarding ceremony. BNS of Valenzuela City, Aurora H. Sedorifa, was awarded as the 2013 Regional OBNS with BNS Saloma I. Zamora of Mandaluyong City and BNS Emilia C. Roque of Navotas City as 1st and 2nd Runner Up ROBNS, respectively.
Mayor Benhur C. Abalos and City Nutrition Action Officer and First Lady Menchie A. Abalos of Mandaluyong City were recognized for their invaluable contribution enabling Mandaluyong City to be declared as the 2012 Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) and a Contender for the 2013 CROWN First-Year Maintenance Award.
Barangay Nutrition Committee of Dalandanan in Valenzuela City under the leadership of Brgy. Captain Ramon Encarnacion and his Barangay Nutrition Action Officer Arsenia Balaoro, was also recognized as the 2013 Outstanding Barangay in Nutrition Program Management.
“The winners truly deserve the recognition they received for their untiring efforts to improve the nutritional status of families and children in Metro Manila ”, said RNPC Federizo.
Undersecretary of Health Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, Regional Director of DOH-NCR Office and Chair of the Regional Nutrition Committee, in his message, encouraged all the local officials and nutrition implementers to continue striving for nutrition improvement in their communities and make nutrition program as a priority in development efforts.
In his Keynote Message, Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano represented by his Chief of Staff Dr. Willie E. Buenaventura, recognized good nutrition as a vital ingredient in the country’s development, particularly in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. He encouraged everyone to continue to fight vigorously the nutrition problems of the country which are hunger, undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity. He expressed his support and commitment in championing the cause of nutrition in the Senate. (PJMA/MEVF/NNCNCR)
