Finally, the Central Luzon 2021 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony and Culminating Nutrition Month Activity (Gitnang Luzon 2021 Gawad Parangal sa Nutrisyon at Panapos na Pagdiriwang para sa Buwan ng Nutrisyon) will be held on 21 December 2021 at 9:00 A.M. at the Hacienda Gracia Hotel and Resort, Sta. Maria, Lubao, Pampanga.
The Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) is an institutionalized activity of the Central Luzon Regional Nutrition Committee which is held annually. The revitalization of the annual RNAC this year only proves that COVID-19 pandemic is not a hindrance to celebrate success and to recognize deserving LGUs, individuals, partners and stakeholders who unceasingly perform their functions and contributed to ending hunger and malnutrition in the region.
The RNAC aims to: 1) give due recognition on the importance of local actions in improving the nutrition situation in Central Luzon; 2) pay tribute to Local Government Units (LGUs), non- government organizations and individuals with outstanding performance in nutrition program management; 3) renew commitment of the local nutrition networks towards the common goal of achieving nutritional adequacy for all; and 4) encourage communities, local governments, non-government organizations, private sector, media, the academe, policy makers and other stakeholders to put in place an enabling environment that promotes improved nutrition situation in the region.
This year’s RNAC will be held via hybrid (online and onsite) platform with 250 participants and guests expected to grace the event. A total of 50 guests and delegates headed by the respective Local Chief Executives as chairpersons of the provincial, city, municipal and barangay nutrition committees together with the Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (P/C/MNAOs), and selected members of the CL RNC are expected to be physically present in the venue to receive their awards while the 200 participants will be joining the NNC-Region III Team in the virtual platform via zoom app teleconference.
The top 2019 winners in nutrition are: Bulacan Province (Top Performing Province in the Region); Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) – Second Maintenance Awardees: Mabalacat City and Municipality of Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Green Banner Seal of Compliance (GBSC) for Bulacan Municipalities: Guiguinto, Marilao, Baliwag and City of Malolos; GBSC also for Nueva Ecija: Municipality of Quezon and San Jose City.
The CROWN Award is received by municipalities, cities, and/or provinces that excelled in nutrition program management and are bestowed the Green Banner Award in their respective regions for three consecutive years. The Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award, on the other hand is the highest citation given to local government units based on set of criteria defined in the new Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implement protocol.
Annually, the RNMET choose among the more than 3,000 BNSs deployed in 3,102 barangays in Central Luzon the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS) using NNC’s assessment protocol.
For 2019, the ROBNS from San Jose City, Nueva Ecija will receive a trophy, certificate of recognition and cash award of PhP26,000.00 while the OBNS for the Provincial and City OBNS categories will receive a certificate of participation, with individual cash award ranging from PhP6,000 to P8,000 each. The Provincial and City Outstanding BNSs from the three (3) provinces and seven (7) cities are from Bulacan (Guiguinto), Nueva Ecija (Talavera), Zambales (Candelaria), Malolos City, Meycauayan City, San Jose Del Monte City, Cabanatuan City, Science City of Muńoz and Mabalacat City.
Other highlights of the 2021 RNAC include a Keynote Address from Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles. CabSec Nograles is a staunch supporter of nutrition and Chair of the Interagency Task Force on Zero Hunger. NNC Region III also invited Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, Assistant Secretary and Executive Director of the National Nutrition Council to give her Inspirational Message to motivate the LGU-awardees to continue to implement innovative nutrition programs and to remain shining examples of good practices to other LGUs in Central Luzon toward achieving the goal of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition.
Certificates of Completion will also be awarded to the successful graduates of the Nutrition School-on-the-Air First 1000 Days and Beyond radio magazine program of the NNC-Region III, in partnership with RWFM 95.1 and select members of the CL-RNC. The third season of the NSOA-First 1000 Days and Beyond went on air on 9 November up to 17 December 2021 over RWFM 95.1. The radio program was anchored by DJ Tyra M. Vitug and co-anchored by NNC-Region III Team led by RNPC Ana Maria B. Rosaldo and Technical Staff: Nutrition Officer III Angelita M. Pasos, Nutrition Officer II Rose Anne M. Cuyco, Nutrition Officer I Antonette Gail D. Garcia and Ms. Celestine Joy L. Membrebe, the Provincial Focal Point Person of the Tutok-Kainan Supplementation Program for Nueva Ecija Province.
NNC-Region III recognize the contribution of the Nutrition Action Officers, District and City Nutrition Program Coordinators, members of the Regional Nutrition Technical Working Group and regional nutrition network/federations as well as the media group as partners and allies in the implementation of the nutrition programs in Central Luzon.
To everyone who will join us in this year’s Gawad Parangal sa Nutrisyon on 21 December 2021, please come in your best suit or attire of green, gold, white and black, colors that will symbolize our burning passion, dedication and commitment in promoting good nutrition in Central Luzon.
A warm of applause and salute to the 2019 Central Luzon winners in nutrition!
Author: NO III Angelita M. Pasos and RNPC Ana Maria B. Rosaldo
