The City Nutrition Committee (CNC) of Biñan is just one step away in achieving the next Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) after it has recently harvested another nutrition award: the “2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award.” The NHA is the highest distinction given by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to an LGU, in recognition of its outstanding planning, management and implementation of local nutrition programs.
Earlier in 2019, the city was conferred the “1st Year CROWN Maintenance Award.” It also garnered the CROWN Award in the 2018 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (NNAC) after being a “Green Banner Awardee in CaLaBaRZon” for three consecutive years. The Green Banner Award is given to the top performing LGUs in the region.
Biñan CNC is now vying for the top nutrition award or NHA, but its hopes go far beyond receiving plaques, certificates, and honors. The Committee strongly envisions its continuous provision of effective nutrition programs for Biñanenses and eventually bring progress to its communities.
The Committee’s deep devotion to sustain the outstanding implementation of its nutrition programs is commendable. It is expected that their best practices will likewise create ripple effects and cascade into other LGUs.
The plaque for the 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award was received by Ms. Lourdes Dimaguila (CNC representatives, GAD Focal Person) and Ms. Isidora Alias (City Nutrition Action Officer) during the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony last March 24 at the Hilton Manila Hotel.
Some of the highlights of the best practices of the city are the following:
DWBC 87.9 FM Radio Biñan City of Life. It is a radio station established specifically for the Biñanenses. This station greatly helps in disseminating and receiving important information to and from the citizens. It plays a vital role during emergencies and disasters. In between every program in this radio station, the 10 Kumainments commercial is aired as well as the announcements of the programs of the City Nutrition Office headed by City Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Isidora Alias.
Usapang Nutrisyon On Air (UNO). It is a 1-hour regular segment in DWBC 87.9 FM wherein the CNC and other invited Resource Speakers discuss nutrition-related topics every Friday. The programs include: the “First 1000 Days,” “10 Kumainments,” “Pinggang Pinoy” and “Nutrition Month.” Barangay Nutrition Committees are also invited in the program to announce and discuss the nutrition programs in their barangays. Before the segment starts, a prayer is recited which contains the 10 Kumainments.
Organik Farm and the Junior Farmers Training. It is a 3-hectare land in the city, converted into an organic farm. It grows organic vegetables, heritage eggs, free range chicken and other livestock. It also features a training area, kids’ playground, and a shop for organic concoction production.
The farm is also open for children 7 to 11 years old to allow them to experience and appreciate the activities in the farm and the importance of organic farming. The activities include feeding the animals, milking of cows, watering plants, and harvesting vegetables.
This farm helps in improving the nutrition situation of the city by providing organic eggs to the malnourished children.
Biñan City Central Material Recovery, Waste Processing and Transfer Station. This was established to reduce the volume of garbage in the city and to maximize the number of recyclables processed and at the same time, produce revenue-generating products.
The station produces “Ecobricks”, a composite of 30% non-biodegradable materials and cement molded into hollow blocks or bricks which were used for pathways and the foundation of Organik Farm Playground.
Covid-19 Response. Despite the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020, the City Nutrition Cluster of Biñan managed to successfully deliver essential nutrition services to its constituents, which brought them recognition for receiving the 2020 Nutrition Champion Award for COVID-19 Response–City Category during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony last year.
By: Mary Emerene P. Pingol
Source of best practices info: Write Up of the City of Biñan for the 2019 NNAC
