The National Nutrition Council – NCR of the Department of Health recognized top performing local government units (LGUs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in the National Capital Region (NCR) found to be compliant with nutrition standards in 2018 during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held on July 26, 2019 at the Heritage Hotel, Pasay 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). It was attended by around 220 participants from the LGUs composed of the Mayors, Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs), members of local nutrition committees (LNCs), BNSs, and other stakeholders.
According to Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council – NCR Ms. Milagros Elisa V. Federizo, MELLPI is the monitoring and evaluation strategy of the NNC conducted by an inter-agency regional nutrition evaluation team to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition or the PPAN by the local government unit. This year marks the transition from the old MELLPI to the new one called the MELLPI Pro.
“MELLPI Pro is part of the updated M & E framework and system for nutrition which assesses the LGUs’ progress toward compliance to quality standards along policy and legislation, nutrition service delivery, and capacity building. The MELLPI Pro identifies not just the outstanding local nutrition committees but also the points of progress for compliance to quality nutrition standards”, RNPC Federizo explained.
LGUs found to be on track on their nutrition program implementation and compliant to 2018 nutrition standards will be awarded with a Certificate of Quality Nutrition Program or QNP. This is in lieu of the Green Banner Award which will be awarded again next year since 2019 is the transition year of the MELLPI Pro.
LGUs awarded with the Certificate of Quality Nutrition Program were the cities of Pasig, Muntinlupa, San Juan and Malabon. Special awards were also given to LGUs for their good practices in nutrition program management: Navotas City (Best in Nutrition Program Effectiveness), Muntinlupa City (Best in Nutrition Program Documentation, Best LGU in Nutrition in Emergencies Initiatives), Malabon City (Most Innovative in Nutrition Program Implementation and Management), Pasig City (Best LGU in Nutrition in Emergencies Initiatives, Best LGU in Urban Vegetable Gardening), and San Juan City (Best LGU in Overweight and Obesity Prevention and Control Initiatives).
Taguig City Nutrition Committee chaired by former Mayor and now Congresswoman Lani Cayetano was also recognized for being a Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) Contender. The NHA is the highest award conferred to a local government unit (LGU) by the National Nutrition Council.
Ms. Alicia A. Tanabe of Muntinlupa City was awarded as the 2018 Regional Outstanding BNS. “Ang trabaho natin bilang BNS ay hindi madali. Kailangan nito ng tiyaga, dedikasyon at pasensya dahil malaki ang papel na ginagampanan natin sa mga bata at pamilya sa ating komunidad. Ating ipagpatuloy ang adhikaing pangnutrisyon hangga’t may pamilyang nangangailangan at kulang sa nutrisyon,” ROBNS Tanabe said in her response.
LNC Chairs and NAOs were also recognized for their active participation and presence during the regional activities conducted in 2018: Former Mayor now Congressman John Reynald Tiangco and CNAO Mr. Reynaldo Monroy (Navotas City), Mayor Miguel Ponce III and MNAO Josefina Ponce (Municipality of Pateros), Cong. Laarni Cayetano and CNAO Julita Bernabe (Taguig City), Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and CNAO Dr. Magdalena Meana (Muntinlupa City), Former Mayor Guia Gomez and CNAO Dr. Rosalie Sto. Domingo (San Juan City), Mayor Antolin Oreta III and CNAO Chef Melissa Oreta (Malabon City), Mayor Edwin Olivarez and CNAO Janet A. Olivarez (Parañaque City), and CNAOs Dr. Pecos Camarines (Mandaluyong City), Dr. Benjamin Yson (City of Manila), Dr. Julio Javier (Las Piñas City), Dr. Christy S. Sy (Marikina City) and Dr. Jaime M. Exconde Jr. (Valenzuela City).
The winners in the regional contests conducted by the NNC-NCR in line with the celebration of the 45th Nutrition Month with the theme “Kumain nang wasto at maging aktibo…push natin ‘to!” and Regional Webby Awards were also awarded their trophy and cash prize.
Guest of Honor NNC OIC Executive Director Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, in her keynote message, said that the awarding ceremony is a testament that we can win against malnutrition and the awardees will inspire other LGUs all over the country to implement their nutrition programs in a similar manner with the guidance of the PPAN 2017-2022.
“I will leave you with these three (3) key messages that will help build a stronger region for nutrition. First, use the opportunity and privilege as nutrition champions to do more for nutrition. Second, focus on the first 1000 days where we can make the most impact on nutrition. And third, to work together as one region because the National Capital Region is a unique region. The awarding is only for one day but I hope that the work for nutrition continues,” Dr. Dayanghirang said.
Executive Vice President of Zuellig Family Foundation and Former DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero also graced the event and gave his message. He urged the local officials to continue investing on the first 1000 days. "Investing in this most strategic time will help us win the war against malnutrition specifically on stunting", EVP Panadero emphasized.
Likewise, in her response as the recipient of the Certificate of Quality Nutrition Program, former San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez emphasized the importance of partnership with various stakeholders from government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sectors in implementing programs for the first 1000 days. “The quality of nutrition during the first 1000 days of life establishes a strong foundation for everything that follows, not only in one’s life but in the child’s future and the world’s as well,” Mayor Gomez added.
Malabon City Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta agreed that everything is possible if we do it together. He also encouraged his fellow local chief executives to make nutrition a priority agenda of their administration. Giving importance on nutrition during the 1000 days of life will help us combat malnutrition and stunting. He added, “Children should be given the opportunity to grow up well and healthy. They should be able to go to school and be able to decide what they want to do in the future because they are the hope of our nation.” (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
