The National Nutrition Council – National Capital Region (NNC-NCR) of the Department of Health recognized outstanding local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila that have shown exemplary performance in nutrition program implementation and management during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held on 28 July 2017 at the Novotel Manila Araneta, Quezon City.
The RNAC serves as the culminating event of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and the Search for the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS). Around 230 participants from all over Metro Manila including Mayors, Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) and members of the local nutrition committees (LNCs), BNSs and other nutrition stakeholders attended the event.
“MELLPI is the monitoring and evaluation strategy of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) which is the country’s blueprint in addressing hunger and malnutrition. It is conducted annually by an inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) to monitor and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of nutrition and related programs and projects implemented by the LNCs in the 17 LGUs in NCR. Desk review and interview with members of the LNCs are conducted at the city level while selected barangays are visited for validation.”, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo explained.
In her keynote message, NNC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang acknowledged the efforts undertaken by NCR LGUs in providing nutrition services to their constituents to address hunger and malnutrition in the region. She challenged everyone to do things differently and implement effective innovations that will help reduce the prevalence of malnutrition.
“Let us all continue working together to ensure that no one or no child is left behind, no family will go hungry and each and every child born will be given a better fighting chance for a better life through proper growth development in the First 1000 Days of life. With this, we will give our country a better chance for development.” Dr. Dayanghirang said.
The 2016 Green Banner Award was conferred on Pasig City Nutrition Committee chaired by Mayor Robert “Bobby” Eusebio for their outstanding performance in the implementation and management of local nutrition programs in 2016. The first and second runner-up awardees are the cities of San Juan and Manila, respectively.
LGUs that have excelled in specific categories were also given special awards: Malabon City (Very Satisfactory Performance in Nutrition Program Management and Best in Resource Generation and Mobilization), Muntinlupa City (Very Satisfactory Performance in Nutrition Program Management, Most Improved Nutrition Program Management, Best in Program Effectiveness and Most Innovative LGU), San Juan City (LGU with Continuous Improvement in Nutrition Program Management, Best in Documentation and Best in Resource Generation and Mobilization), the cities of Caloocan, Parañaque and Makati (LGU with Continuous Improvement in Nutrition Program Management), Mandaluyong City (Best in Infant and Young Feeding Initiatives) and Pasig City (Most Efficient in Nutrition Program Management, Best in LGU Investment in Nutrition Program, Best in Barangay Nutrition Program Management, Best in Nutrition in Emergencies and Best in Urban Vegetable Gardening).
Barangay Nutrition Committee of Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City under the leadership of Brgy. Chairperson Maricar Asilo-Vivero was awarded as the Most Outstanding Barangay in Nutrition Program Management. Barangay Onse in San Juan City received the 1st Runner up Award while 2nd Runner-Up awardees are Barangay Martirez del ’96 in the Municipality of Pateros and Barangay Maybunga in Pasig City.
Fifteen (15) City/Municipal Outstanding BNSs received plaque of recognition and cash award. The 2016 Regional Outstanding BNS is Nilda M. Aguilar of Pasig City.
Taguig City Nutrition Committee chaired by Mayor Lani Cayetano was recognized for being a Contender for the First-Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award. Mandaluyong City Nutrition Committee under the leadership of Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” A. Abalos was also recognized for maintaining their excellent performance that made them win the 2015 Nutrition Honor Award. The Nutrition Honor Award is the highest recognition given by the National Nutrition Council to an LGU that have shown consistent excellent performance in planning, implementing, and managing local nutrition programs resulting in significant nutrition improvement.
LNC Chairs and NAOs were also recognized for their active participation and presence during the regional activities conducted in 2016: Mayor John Reynald Tiangco (Navotas City), Mayor Robert Eusebio and CNAO Dr. Georgiana Galutera (Pasig City), Mayor Miguel Ponce III and MNAO Josefina Ponce (Municipality of Pateros), Mayor Laarni Cayetano and CNAO Julita Bernabe (Taguig City), Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay and CNAO Dr. Bernard T. Sese (Makati City), Mayor Carmelita Abalos and CNAO Dr. Pecos Camarines (Mandaluyong City), Mayor Edwin Olivarez and CNAO Janet Olivarez (Parañaque City), Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and CNAO Dr. Magdalena Meana (Muntinlupa City), Mayor Imelda Aguilar and CNAO Dr. Ferdinand Eusebio (Las Piñas City), CNAO Chef Melissa Oreta (Malabon City), CNAO Dr. Benjamin Yson (City of Manila) and CNAO Dr. Rosalie Sto. Domingo (San Juan City).
The winners in the regional contests conducted by the NNC-NCR in line with the celebration of the 43rd Nutrition Month with the theme “Healthy diet, gawing habit – FOR LIFE!” were also awarded their trophy and cash prize.
According to Mayor Robert Eusebio, while receiving the Green Banner Award is much appreciated, the best reward is seeing the improvement in their city’s nutrition situation especially the continuous decline in the prevalence of malnutrition in children 0-71 months old. “We know there is still much to do and this award will continue to inspire us to persist and strive to better ourselves until we attain our ultimate goal of seeing Pasigueños, both young and old, who are healthy, happy, well-nourished and productive citizens of our Green City of Pasig,” Mayor Eusebio said in his response. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
