CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Nov 27 (PIA) by Wiiliam L. Beltran – Sustained health and nutrition programs made the province of Pampanga the best of other provinces in Central Luzon in nutrition program implementation.

Thus said provincial board member Monina Laus after the province bagged for the first time the 2010 Regional Green Banner Award as Outstanding Province in the implementation of nutrition programs in the region.

Laus, who chairs the health and nutrition committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, received the green banner award from Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director and Regional Nutrition Committee Chair, Andrew Villacorta and Maria Vicenta C. Magpantay, Regional Nutrition Progra Coordinator, on behalf of Lilia G. Pineda.

Laus said that the award is a testimony to the successful implementation of various health and nutrition programs and services of the provincial government for the past year.

“Sustained health and nutrition programs and services such as immunization and provision of supplemental feeding to malnourished children in various municipalities of Pampanga were conducted with the support and assistance of our local government units, barangay nutrition scholars and national government agencies. “

Laus said that the award would serve as an inspiration to the provincial government’s officials and workers “to do better in the promotion and development of the nutritional status of their constituents”.

Likewise, Magpantay agrees with the lady board member that the “award shall serve as another beginning for all stakeholders to strive further, do more and do better for the improvement of the nutritional status of the target sector.”

The annual green banner award, she explained, gives due recognition to the outstanding efforts of local government units at the municipal, city and provincial levels including the barangay nutrition scholars in the implementation of nutrition program in their respective areas.
Magpantay said the province of Bataan was judged as first runner-up in the outstanding province category with Nueva Ecija as second runner-up.

Awarded as outstanding municipality in the region were Paombong, Bulacan;Guagua, Pampanga; first runner-up and Bagac, Bataan second runner-up.

Tarlac City emerged as outstanding city in the region with San Jose as first runner-up and Balanga City, second runner-up.

The province of Bulacan received a plaque of recognition as 2010 consistent regional outstanding winner in nutrition (CROWN) first year maintenance.

Edna Baldovino of barangay Camacsacan in san Jose City got the regional outstanding barangay nutrition scholar award with Cresensia Cuaresma of barangay Baguindoc; Anao, Tarlac as first runner-up and Angelina Espiritu of Barangay Abulalas, Hagonoy, Bulacan as second runner-up.

This year’s municipal green banner awardees are Dinalungan, Aurora; Bagac, Bataan; Paombong, Bulacan; Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Guagua, Pampanga; Anao, Tarlac and Candelaria, Zambales.

Magpantay said that plaques of recognition were also presented to the outstanding provincial and city barangay nutrition scholars namely: Gina Geronimo of Cabanatuan City, Eliizabeth Camaya of Angeles City, Teodora Cruz of Malolos City, Maritess Supena of Nueva Ecija, Ofelia Balintay of Zambales, Rowena Kabiling of Pampanga, Florita Wenceslao of Aurora, Evelyn Padilla of Science City of Muñoz, Pagasa Pragas, Marivic Magpantay of Balanga City and Elvira Reyes of Palayan City. (LB/Pampanga PIO)


For more photos visit National Nutrition Council Region III