The National Nutrition Council-Region 02 successfully conducted the 2014 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) at Valley Hotel, Alimanao Hills, Peñablanca, Cagayan last 10 October 2014.

The said event honors the various individuals and Local Government Units (LGUs) with an exemplary performance in nutrition program management in their respective communities.

Over 350 guests and delegates coming from all over the region including the members of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) headed by its Chair, Ms. Jovita P. Ayson, CESO II, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Local Chief Executives and legislators of the provinces, cities, and municipalities and other local officials, Provincial, City and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (P/C/MNAOs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), members of the media, and other stakeholders attended the awarding ceremony.

Dir. Ayson welcomed the awardees and other participants. She paid tribute to the unwavering efforts and dedication of the awardees for continually promoting good nutrition and eradicating hunger and malnutrition in the region.

NNC-Region 02 awarded Ms. Ronely S. Marania of Brgy. Canan, Cabatuan, Isabela as 1st Placer for the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar. She received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of Php 20,000 from NNC and another Php 5,000 from RNC. Ms. Juliet Nicolas of Brgy. Plaza, Aparri, Cagayan and Ms. Jenifer B. Gabilo of Brgy. Sumnanga, Sabtang, Batanes were also awarded as 2nd and 3rd Placers for the Regional Outstanding BNSs, respectively. Provincial outstanding BNSs who were also recognized were Ms. Girlie V. Godoy of Brgy. Poblacion North, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Ms. Corazon C. Rigor of Brgy. Dumabato, Maddela, Quirino, Ms. Marites D. Agcaoili of Brgy. Dabburab, Cauayan City, and Ms. Rebecca B. Dayag of Brgy. Buntun, Tuguegarao City.

Ms. Marania, in her message, shared their various activities and programs on good nutrition. She expressed her gratitude to NNC, Provincial/Municipal Nutrition Committee (P/MNC) especially to Mayor Charlton I. Uy of Cabatuan, their barangay captain, Barangay Nutrition Committee, and other barangay officials that with them, their programs were achieved. “Walang imposible kung mahal mo at tapat ka sa iyong trabaho,” Ms. Marania stated. If then she was belittling her role as a BNS, now she firmly stands with pride because of her outstanding performance.

On the other hand, NNC-Region 02 also conferred Regional Green Banner Awards for the most outstanding municipalities in the region. The municipality of Ivana, Batanes was awarded as 1st Placer of the said award. The municipalities of Diffun, Quirino and Aparri, Cagayan were also recognized as 2nd and 3rd Placers, respectively.

Aside from municipalities, the city of Ilagan and the province of Nueva Vizcaya were also conferred with Regional Green Banner Awards.

Hon. Jose Marie L. Diaz, City Mayor of Ilagan and Chairperson of City Nutrition Committee, presented the fruits of their commitment in nutrition for the year 2013 in his message. He stressed that the well-being of 160,000 Ilaguenos is foremost, the priority concern of the City Government of Ilagan. “We take our pledge and give our utmost assurance that the City Government of Ilagan, under my watch will be working towards achieving a malnutrition-free community,” he affirmed.

During the event, NNC-Region 02 also paid tribute to the national awardees declared by the National Evaluation Team. One of them is the municipality of Lal-lo, Cagayan. Lal-lo has been recognized as a Nutrition Honor Awardee for sustaining the effectiveness and efficiency of their nutrition programs. NHA is the highest national award given to a local government unit for its exemplified outstanding performance in nutrition program management for six consecutive years.

In behalf of Hon. Florante C. Pascual, Municipal Mayor of Lal-lo and Chairperson of MNC, Board Member Olive Pascual of Cagayan and President of the Federation of RIC in Lal-lo shared in her speech how their dreams of yesterday turned into fulfillments that made them to achieve the highest nutrition award. “In unity, there is strength,” she stated. She also mentioned that the promotion of programs and activities on good nutrition along with the values of unity, dedication, hard work and true leadership make a community malnutrition-free.

NNC-Region 02 recognized the City of Cauayan, Isabela for its 1st Year Maintenance in Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award. Likewise, the province of Quirino has also been recognized for its 2nd Year Maintenance in the said award. The aforementioned province will be a contender for the Nutrition Honor Award for the year 2014.

All national awardees were honored last 21 October 2014 on the occasion of the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City, Manila.

NNC-Region 02 also awarded the Best Implementers on Promote Good Nutrition-Infant and Young Child Feeding Program. These are the municipalities of Jones and San Mateo of Isabela, Lal-lo of Cagayan, and the City of Ilagan of Isabela. These areas manifested an improved nutritional status among preschool children through improved practice of exclusive breastfeeding and other efforts to promote good IYCF practices.

All awardees received a plaque of recognition and cash awards from the Regional Nutrition Committee and National Nutrition Council.

Ms. Rhodora G. Maestre, Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC-Region 02, in her thanksgiving and congratulatory message before the start of the awarding ceremony, expressed her warmest congratulations to all outstanding individuals and LGUs for the exemplary performance they have done in improving the nutritional status of their constituents.

Ms. Charlotte M. Aggabao, Local Government Operations Officer IV of DILG-Region 02 spearheaded the Regional Nutrition Evaluation. Members of the evaluation team also include Ms. Delia de Guzman, Nutritionist-Dietitian III of DSWD-Region 02, Ms. Nenita Yabis, Agriculturist II of DA-BFAR Region 02, Ms. Rhodora G. Maestre, Nutrition Program Coordinator of DOH-NNC Region 02, Ms. Ma. Gisela M. Lonzaga, Nutrition Officer III of DOH-NNC Region 02, and Ms. Arrian Nika C. Dumaliang, Nutrition Officer I of DOH-NNC Region 02.

Members of the Batang Radyo sa Nutrisyon from Lal-lo and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan showcased their awesome performances which added life to the said awarding ceremony.