The National Nutrition Council-NCR of the Department of Health recognized 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 2014 during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held on 20 August 2015 at the Diamond Ballroom of Diamond Hotel, Manila.
More than 400 nutrition stakeholders from all over Metro Manila including members of the Regional Nutrition Committee, Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team, Regional Nutrition Management Group, local chief executives, Nutrition Action Officers, local Nutrition Program Coordinators, BNSs, local nutrition committee members, media and other nutrition partners attended the event. Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Atty. Leni G. Robredo was the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker.
DOH-NCRO Assistant Regional Director Dr. Vilma V. Diez representing RNC Chair Dr. Ariel I. Valencia and Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo presented the awards of recognition. The 2014 Green Banner Award went to Taguig City Nutrition Committee chaired by Mayor Lani Cayetano. The 1st and 2nd Runner-Up Awards were given to Pasig City and Manila, respectively. The Green Banner Award is given to the most outstanding local nutrition committee in nutrition program management based on the results of the yearly Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI). According to RNPC Federizo, “MELLPI is conducted every year by the inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team to monitor, evaluate and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of LGUs in planning and implementing local nutrition programs. The awards are meant to serve as incentives to LGUs and BNSs”. This year’s RNET was chaired by Marlene Navarro of Grace Family Helper Project with Joyce Hilvano of Popcom-NCR and Rhowena Alcantara of MMDA as Vice-Chairpersons.
Special awards were given to Mandaluyong City (Best in Barangay Nutrition Program Implementation, Best in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Initiatives, Best in Program Effectiveness and Best in LGU investment in Nutrition Program), Pasig City (Most Efficient in Nutrition Program Management, Best in Documentation of Nutrition Programs, Best in Nutrition in Emergencies Initiatives and Most Innovative in Nutrition Program Implementation) and City of Manila (Best in Resource Generation and Mobilization for Nutrition).
Outstanding BNSs of the different LGUs in the region were also awarded during the ceremony. The BNSs are barangay-based nutrition workers responsible for delivering nutrition and related services in the barangay. BNS Mary Grace Tamayo of Mandaluyong City was awarded the 2014 Regional OBNS Award while Emilia Roque of Navotas City and Elsa Herasta of the Municipality of Pateros bagged the 1st and 2nd Runner-Up OBNS awards, respectively.
Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos and CNAO Menchie Abalos were also recognized for their efforts in enabling their city to be a contender for the 2014 Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Second Year Maintenance Award. Barangay Mabini J. Rizal of Mandaluyong City was also recognized as the most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee under the leadership of Barangay Chairwoman Angelina Tablan with the support of Barangay Nutrition Action Officer Alberto Tablan.
Seven (7) Mayors as chair of their respective local nutrition committees were also recognized for their invaluable support to the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) and presence in special events and regional nutrition activities in 2014: San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez; Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano; Navotas City Mayor John Reynald Tiangco; Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez; Pateros Mayor Joey Medina; Pasig City Mayor Maribel Eusebio; and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos. Active and supportive Nutrition Action Officers were likewise recognized, namely: Dr. Jaime Exconde, Jr. (Valenzuela City), Dr. Reynaldo Monroy (Navotas City), Dr. Georgiana Galutera (Pasig City), Dr. Joyce Medina (Pateros), Ms. Julie Bernabe (Taguig City), Mrs. Menchie Abalos (Mandaluyong City), Dr. Cesar Encinares (Pasay City), Dr. Benjamin Yson (Manila), and Mrs. Janet Olivarez (Parañaque City). Retired CNAOs Dr. Victor Lacandola of San Juan City and Dr. Diana Jocelyn Vaño of Makati City also received certificate of appreciation for their service and contributions to the local PPAN implementation.
In her keynote message, Congresswoman Atty. Leni G. Robredo, encouraged local chief executives to support and invest in nutrition as part of good governance. She shared doable nutrition initiatives which are being done in her district in Camarines Sur similar to the Zero Hunger Project of Brazil. “Governance, I believe, means staying close to the ground and understanding what people are going through. The hunger problem is one of the things that will stare at you at the grassroots. It is widespread, it is urgent. But what is more important is that it can be solved”, Cong. Robredo said. (TAR/MEVF/NNCNCR)
