A statement from one of the awardees that “champions are not the people who never fail but the people who never quit” is but a fitting description of local government units and individuals who were recognized during the 2018 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) on 5 December 2018 held at the Orchidarium of The Orchid Gardens and Resorts, Lazatin Boulevard, San Juan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The event was attended by 290 guests and awardees from the seven (7) provinces and 14 cities in Central Luzon.

The RNAC, NNC-Region III-led activity, is the culmination of the 2018 Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and Search for the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS). Both the MELLPI and the Search for the ROBNS are conducted annually by an inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET).

The 2018 RNAC is also a time to: 1) recognize Local Government Units and individuals who have shown exemplary performance in advancing the cause of nutrition in the region; 2) highlight the importance of local actions in improving the nutrition situation, and 3) renew local nutrition networks’ commitment to act in unison, with a common vision of achieving nutritional adequacy for the populace of Central Luzon.

The RNAC is an opportune time to give tribute to Nutrition Action Officers, District and City Nutrition Program Coordinators, who stayed long in the service or retired as public servants, and to members of the Regional Technical Working Group, as partners and allies in the implementation of the region wide nutrition program. The simple tribute is by way of giving them certificates of appreciation.

As the RNAC coincided with the Christmas Season, the red and black suits worn by almost everyone during the event magnified the true meaning of passion, dedication, commitment, hard work and self-denial just so, to improve the nutritional well-being of individuals, families and community.

Truly, the RNAC is not just a celebration of the champions but a venue to inspire others not to quit but to continue with the journey without counting the cost.

Author:

Angelita M. Pasos

Nutrition Officer III, NNC-Region III

27 December 2018