The inter-agency National Nutrition Evaluation Team (NET) visited the City of Taguig on April 4-6, 2018 as one of the nine (9) local government units (LGU) vying for the 2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award.
To be a recipient of the 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award, an LGU should have reached a score of 95% based on the NET evaluation. The highest recognition, the Nutrition Honor Award, is given by the National Nutrition Council to an LGU that has reached a score of 98% and consistently shown outstanding planning, management and implementation of their local nutrition programs anchored on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) marked by efficiency and effectiveness.
Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano together with Councilor for Health Rodil “Tikboy” Marcelino and members of the City Nutrition Committee, Barangay Captains, Barangay Nutrition Action Officers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars welcomed the members of the NET composed of Ms. Alona Teo and Ms. Rina Ampe (National Nutrition Council), Ms. Joyce Parco (University of the Philippines – Los Baños) and Mr. Jeeson Alamar (Council for the Welfare of Children).
During the 3-day evaluation, the NET members conducted desk review and interviewed members of the city nutrition committee. Implementation of nutrition programs and projects at the barangay level was validated in the four (4) barangays: Ligid, North Daanghari, Upper Bicutan and Katuparan. A total of 50 children aged 0-59 months were weighed in each barangay for validation of the effectiveness of the nutrition programs.
The NET also visited different program sites such as the Human Milk Bank located at the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital, urban vegetable gardens at Barangays Bagumbayan and North Daanghari and the city’s Integrated Urban Farm at Barangay Lower Bicutan.
NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa Federizo, Nutrition Officer III (NO) Emerenciana Francia, NO II Theresa Rivas and Regional NET Vice Chair Marlene Viray-Navarro were present during the national evaluation to observe and provide assistance to the NET and Taguig City nutrition secretariat.
An exit conference was held on the last day wherein members of the NET presented their findings and recommendations on how the city can improve further their nutrition programs to address the city’s nutrition problems and their causes. The NET also commended the city for the strong support of the city government headed by CNC Chair Mayor Lani Cayetano to the nutrition program and the involvement of all members of the City Nutrition Committee in the program planning and implementation.
In her message, Mayor Lani Cayetano said that the fight against malnutrition is not the responsibility of the LGU alone. It is also the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children get the good nutrition and proper care that they need to grow up healthy. “Taguig City will continue to strive to provide health and nutrition services to the community, to the families and children, to make the city a healthier place with healthy constituents.” Mayor Cayetano added.
(TAR/NPC MEVF/NNCNCR)
