The National Nutrition Council-NCR was invited by the Center for Health Development for Metro Manila to join the Technical Working Group for this year’s search for 100% Tobacco-Free Environment, more commonly known as Red Orchids Awards.

NNC-NCR was represented by NOIII Emerenciana D. Lagadia in the TWG that is responsible for screening the entries, monitoring, and validating the different activities of the nominees as part of their anti-smoking program.  The nominees for this year’s search include two cities namely, Marikina and Muntinlupa and three hospitals namely, Quirino Memorial Hospital, National Children’s Hospital and San Lorenzo Ruiz Women’s Hospital.

NOIII Lagadia as a member of the TWG screened and validated the documents submitted by the nominees and also joined the group in the monitoring and validation visits held on January 4-6 and 10, 2012.  During the visit, the TWG took the opportunity to give technical assistance to the participating institutions to help them improve further their anti-smoking program and its documentation.