Two of the local nutrition committees in region 2 are now contenders of the prestigious Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition award, given to Local Government Units (LGUs) that have consistently shown outstanding performance for nutrition improvement.

For this year, Quirino Province and Lal-lo Cagayan are the entries of Cagayan Valley in the said award system.

Nutrition Program Coordinator Rhodora G. Maestre said the two LGUs will be evaluated whether their efforts affect the downward trend of malnutrition. She said Lal-lo Cagayan was already evaluated last month while Quirino province is scheduled for May 27-31, 2013.

The CROWN contenders are visited by a National Nutrition Evaluation Team for three consecutive years to check whether their efforts in maintaining a downward trend of malnutrition are sustained through a well-coordinated plan implementation.

Maestre believed that the two entries will make it as she sees the strong foundation of the programs, projects and innovations made for the eradication of malnutrition rate in the said areas.

Region 2 had consistently produced national champions in the different categories of the nutrition award system to include the NHA awards received by Solana, Cagayan; Echague, Isabela; Tuguegarao City; Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan province, Isabela province Batanes province and Santiago City.

These LGUs have innovative programs and projects that contributed to the eradication of malnutrition rate in their areas, a strong advocacy to promote good nutrition, support to the maternal and health care program, and the political will in implementing related laws and policies toward the development of nutrition and health of the people.