The Regional Nutrition Committee of Cagayan Valley recently conducted the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony to recognize the various individuals and Local Government Units who made exemplary efforts in promoting good nutrition in their respective communities. The awarding ceremonies held on November 18, 2013 at the Crown Pavillion in Tuguegarao City is also aimed at recognizing the hard work and determination of these individuals and LGU’s in fighting malnutrition in the region and making them role models for the others.
Present during the said event are Ms. Jovita P. Ayson, CESO II, Regional Director BFAR and Chair of the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC), the Regional Directors of the various agencies in the region who are also members of the RNC, Director Rhodora G. Maestre, Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC RO2, Local Chief Executives of the provinces, cities, and municipalities in the region and other local officials, Provincial and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, members of the media, and other stakeholders.
Director Ayson welcomed the awardees and the participants during the event and expressed her gratefulness for the notable works made by the awardees in helping to improve the nutrition situation in the region. She also paid tribute to the untiring efforts and dedication of the awardees in fighting malnutrition in the region.
Awarded during the event is Ms. Belinda B. Garcia of Barangay Nabbuan, Santiago City as first place for the Most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar in the region and a cash prize of 25,000 from NNC. The second and third places were awarded to Ms. Fe B. Domingo of Paruddun Norte, Aparri, Cagayan and Ms. Jennifer B. Gabilo of Sumnanga, Sabtang, Batanes. Other Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar Awardees include Ms. Florida S. Curameng of Ysmael, Maddela, Quirino, Ms. Imelda D. Masiglat of Malasit, San Mateo, Isabela, Ms. Fely G. Dumaliang of Minante II, Cauyan City, Ms. Girlie V. Gadoy of Poblacion Norte, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya and Ms. Rosita M. Laddaran of Annafunan West, Tuguegarao City.
In a message full of energy and laughter, Ms. Garcia enumerated the various activities and programs which she initiated with the help and support of the barangay officials of Nabbuan, Santiago City which promotes the good health and nutrition of their constituents. She made emphasis on the values which a BNS must have in order to succeed in their goals stressing that dedication to serve the people is very important. She further noted that the support of all individuals in the community is very essential so that basic health services may be delivered in the barangay.
Also recognized during the awarding ceremonies are the most outstanding municipalities for each province in the region. The awardees are as follows: Municipality of Ivana for the Province of Batanes; Municipality of Jones in Isabela; Municipality of Aparri in Cagayan; Municipality of Sta. Fe in Nueva Vizcaya; and the Municipality of Diffun in Quirino.
The Municipality of Ivana, Batanes was also awarded as the first place for the most outstanding municipality in the region and was given the Regional Green Banner Award. The municipalities of Jones, Isabela and Apari, Cagayan were also awarded as 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, and were also given with Regional Green Banner Awards.
On the other hand, the Regional Green Banner award was also conferred to the City of Cauayan as the most outstanding city in the region. Aside from this, the city has also been recognized as a national awardee of the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN). In his message, Mayor Faustino Bernard Dy of the said city vowed that he will continue the programs that they have started and they will also innovate new programs and projects to totally eradicate the malnutrition in the city. He also stressed on the need to enlist the support of all stakeholders in order to promote good nutrition in all households.
The Regional Green Banner Award was also conferred to the Province of Nueva Vizcaya as recognition of its tireless efforts in improving the nutrition situation in the province. Governor Ruth R. Padilla received the award for the province and she expressed her gratitude to the RNC for the award. The Governor also expressed to everyone that you should “love your calling with passion because it is the meaning of your life.” She further guaranteed that her province will ceaselessly work for the promotion of good nutrition and that they are willing to share their best practices to other provinces.
The Province of Quirino has also been recognized during the event for receiving the 1st Year CROWN Maintenance Award. The said award was conferred to it by the National Nutrition Council in awarding ceremonies held at the Philippine International Convention Center last November 5, 2013.
Also recognized during the event is the Municipality of Lal-lo, Cagayan for receiving its 2nd year CROWN Maintenance Award which was also conferred during the awarding ceremonies at PICC. First District Board Member Maria Olivia B. Pascual of the Province of Cagayan received the award in behalf of the municipality. Next year, the aforesaid municipality will be a contender for the Nutrition Honor Award - the highest award given to a local government unit for its successful and exemplary performance in nutrition program management for six consecutive years.
All the awardees received a certificate of recognition and cash awards from the Regional Nutrition Committee and the National Nutrition Council.
Meanwhile, Director Maestre of NNC RO2 said during an interview that the awarding ceremonies is a manifestation that there are still various individuals and LGU’s who are very dedicated in their solemn duty of improving the nutrition situation in the region. She also said the awardees should be the best examples for all stakeholders that despite the mountains of tasks and the formidable works to be done, we can all achieve our goals in the field of nutrition if we work hand in hand. She also expressed her gratitude to all those who made the event a very successful and meaningful one.
The Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team was composed by Ms. Delia De Guzman of DSWD-FO2 as Chairperson and Dir. Rhodora G. Maestre, Ms. Elvira Alan of NEDA-RO2, Ms. Proserfina Reyno of DA-BFAR RO2, Ms. Carol Jean Domingo of DOH-CHD RO2, Ms. Ma. Gisela Lonzaga and Ms. Benjielyne Estudillo, both of DOH-NNC RO2, and Mr. Mikael Maestre of BFAR RO2 as members.
The members of the Batang Radyo sa Nutrisyon from the Lal-lo, Cagayan, Tuguegarao City, Cauyan City, and Nueva Vizcaya performed colorful and meaningful dances and variety shows which added excitement and delight in the awarding ceremonies.
