The City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators of Metro Manila Association, in partnership with the National Nutrition Council – NCR, celebrated its 30 years of existence and fruitful service with a regional conference with the theme “Three Decades and Beyond: Going Stronger for a Better Nutrition” held on September 16, 2015 at Hotel Jen Manila, Pasay City.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo, in her opening message, expressed her thanks and gratitude to the C/DNPC Association for being an active partner of the NNC-NCR in the advocacy and promotion of good nutrition and implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition in the region. She encouraged the Officers and members of the Association to continue to nourish the Association and work together to fight hunger and malnutrition.

Assistant Secretary of Health and NNC Executive Director IV Maria-Bernardita T. Flores, CESO II graced the event as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker. In her keynote message, she expressed her congratulations and appreciation to the C/DNPC Association for being an invaluable ally of the NNC for 30 years in improving the nutrition situation in Metro Manila. She stressed that a C/DNPC should not just become a designation but a life-long commitment to serve the people. She challenged the C/DNPCs, as individuals and as an organization, to take the National Capital Region to a higher level of excellence in nutrition program implementation.
Also, part of the conference program is the giving of Awards of Recognition to those C/DNPCs in active service for at least 30 years and those with exemplary contribution to the success of the Association. ASec. Bernie Flores presented the awards assisted by RNPC Mila Federizo and C/DNPC Association President Eileen S. Guevara. The Association also presented RNPC Federizo with an Award of Recognition for the outstanding support, leadership and guidance to the Association as its Adviser and for continuously inspiring the members to efficiently and effectively manage their local nutrition programs.

A video presentation of the C/DNPC Association then and now were also shown. The participants were able to reminisce the old times as they saw the old pictures of the Association. A short tribute to Mrs. Delia R. Jimenez, former RNPC of the NNC-NCR followed right after.

Another part of the program is the technical updates discussed by guest speakers /resource persons who are considered experts in their field. Topics included Nutrition Priorities in Public Health Nutrition: Past, Present and Opportunities (Dr. Corazon VC. Barba, Professor Emeritus of IHNF, UPLB); The First 1000 Days: Focus on Pregnancy until Breastfeeding at Work (Dr. Mianne Silvestre, Neonatologist and President of Kalusugan ng Mag-ina, Inc.); The Public Health Aspect of Stunting: What do we do now? (Ms. Maria Evelyn P. Carpio, Nutrition Specialist of UNICEF) and a motivational talk – “Make a Difference” (Bro. Renato M. Si of Feast Builder).

Before the day ended, Ms. Eileen S. Guevara delivered her President’s Report and their future activities. She challenged the group to do more, dream big and aim high in 2016.

(TAR/MEVF/NNCNCR)