The National Nutrition Council – National Capital Region of the Department of Health had its 2013 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) at the Manila Hotel on 29 August 2013 to recognize the outstanding local government units (LGUs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in Metro Manila for their exemplary performance in nutrition program management and service delivery in 2012.
Outstanding LGUs in Metro Manila and BNSs were determined by the inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) based on the results of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and BNS Evaluation conducted earlier this year.
This year’s Green Banner Awardee is Mandaluyong City whose City Nutrition Committee (CNC) is chaired by Mayor Benhur C. Abalos with Mrs. Carmelita “Menchie” A. Abalos as the City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO). Being the Green Banner Awardee for three straight years, Mandaluyong City will be eligible for the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award to be conferred by the National Nutrition Council. Other top performing cities in 2012 are Taguig City (1st Runner-up) and Navotas City (2nd Runner-up).
Special Awards were given to Taguig City (Best in Documentation of Nutrition Program); Valenzuela City (Most Innovative in Nutrition Program Implementation); Pasay City (Best in LGU Investments in Nutrition); Quezon City (Best in Resource Generation and Mobilization); Pasig City (Best in Barangay Nutrition Program Implementation); and Mandaluyong City (Best Infant Young Child Feeding Initiatives and Most Improved Nutritional Status of Children). Ms. Mary Grace P. Tamayo of Mandaluyong City is the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS) for 2012 while Ms. Nilda M. Aguilar of Pasig City and Ms. Concepcion C. Benosa of Makati City are the First and Second Runner-Up ROBNSs, respectively.
The winners in the regional contests as part of the 39th Nutrition Month celebration also received their trophy and cash prize at the awarding ceremony.
Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo of the Center for Health Development-NCR and Chair of the Regional Nutrition Committee in his Keynote Message challenged the LGUs to make a difference in the implementation of priority nutrition actions to create impact on the nutrition and well-being of the families in Metro Manila.
The annual RNAC also serves as an advocacy strategy to encourage local chief executives and their local nutrition committees to effectively and efficiently plan and manage their nutrition programs and sustain their gains to contribute to the improvement of the nutrition situation in the region.
