TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan– Mayor Liwayway Caramat of Sta. Fe, Nueva Viscaya has called on fellow local chief executives in the region to fully implement nutrition programs and projects.
“Unfortunately, nutrition program is not a priority among male local chief executives,” she said in her response as a Regional Green Banner awardee during the regional nutrition awarding ceremonies today in this city.

She said male local chief executives are more into impact projects like structures with nutrition only on the sidelines.

“Those structures are useless if the children are not healthy. Nutrition has more effect on them,” she added.

Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, deputy executive director of National Nutrition Council said the challenge on nutrition programs and projects in the country is its sustainability. She lauded the efforts of region’s nutrition stakeholders and express appreciation to the various national awards Cagayan Valley has been bestowed with annually.

Sta. Fe, also called the gateway to Cagayan Valley is host to the Asin Checkpoint where iodized salt has likewise became a source of livelihood among its womenfolk. The presence of the checkpoint has been a guarantee that only iodized salt are sold in the region.

The municipality of Amulung and Uyugan in Cagayan and Batanes came in second and third placer as Regional Green Banner awardees, respectively.

Other provincial Green Banner awardees were San Mateo, Isabela and Diffun, Quirino.

Meanwhile three Barangay Nutrition Scholars were proclaimed regional winners. Lonzaga identified them in the order of their winning as Concepcion Cabugao of Barangay Radiwan, Ivana, Batanes; Realyn Siriban, Barangay San Antonio, Lal-lo, Cagayan and Edna Sidlawan of Barangay Padlisan, Maddela, Quirino.

Non-government organizations who have been supporting the cause of nutrition in the region were also recognized in a simple ceremony today.