Every year, Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), Regional Outstanding Nutrition Action Officers (ONAOs), top ranking municipalities, and CROWN awardees are being recognized in the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC). This event is being held annually to give honor and appreciation to local government units and nutrition champions who willingly served their respective localities in order to prioritize nutrition and improve their nutrition situation. This year, RNAC was celebrated at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City last 05 December 2019, with the presence of Hon. Darel Dexter T. Uy, mayor of Dipolog City; Dr. Augosto Manolo Alpichi who represented Dr. Emilia P. Monicimpo, MD, MPH, CSEE of Department of Health (DOH); Nimfa D. Ekong, RND, MDM, Officer-in-charge, Nutrition Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 9 and the Executive Director of NNC, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MD, MCH, CESE who is also the keynote speaker of the memorable event.
OIC-NPC Nimfa D. Ekong introduced the keynote speaker Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, who had just been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the Executive Director of NNC this year. In her speech, she congratulated the awardees for their exemplary efforts and hoped that they take this award as a privilege given to them in order to provide more efficient service to their respective localities to improve their nutrition situation. Dr. Dayanghirang herself said that she started as a City Nutrition Action Officer of Davao City in 1991. Like all other NAOs, she started just like them who only wanted to render excellent service to her home city. As nobody is being awarded without working hard for it, she encouraged the BNSs, NAOs, District Nutrition Coordinators and other nutrition implementors to push themselves to be in their very best to provide outstanding service to their respective localities for their efforts will provide good results in the future.
ED Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, OIC-NPC Nimfa D. Ekong, and Dr. Augusto Manolo Alpichi presented the awards. The most notable award given is the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award and this is given to local government units (LGUs) with outstanding implementation of its nutrition action plan for three consecutive years. This award and a green banner was given to Dipolog City. The Municipality of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay was awarded as the 1st year CROWN maintenance awardee, and the province of Zamboanga Sibugay as a Nutrition Honor Award Finalist.
A certificate of recognition was given to the top-ranking municipalities with their respective NAOs. The following are the awardees:
- Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte- MNAO Dr. Ricardo S. Awit
- Salug, Zamboanga del Norte- MNAO Avegail B. Sayo
- Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte- MNAO Josephine P. Layoc
- RT Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay- MNAO Marebel G. Tingson
- Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay- MNAO Analiza L. Bornales
- Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay- MNAO Mary Lissa B. Yorong
- Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay- MNAO Dr. Adnilre D. Verzon
- Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay- MNAO Dr. Myrna C. Salomes
Maria Cecilia T. Ferrater of Barangay Taruc, RT Lim was adjudged as the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar for efficiently and effectively implementing nutrition programs, services and activities resulting in an improved nutrition situation in her barangay. She received a trophy and a cash prize of 20,000 pesos.
Dr. Ricardo S. Awit of Piñan was recognized as an outstanding nutrition action officer together with Marelene C. Garcia of Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Charmie A. Yu of Dipolog City and Nena L. Pedroza of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay
Certificates were also given to distinct LGUs, organizations and institutions for rendering their invaluable support to nutrition programs, to promote good nutrition, and for the implementation of the Local Nutrition Early Warning System (LNEWS-FNS) program and the Early Childhood Care and Development in the First 1000 Days (ECCD F1K) program. City and Barangay participants were also recognized for participating in the 2018 Monitoring & Evaluation of the Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI). The RNET members of the 2018 MELLPI were also given certificates of appreciation and token for their support to the nutrition program in the region.
Responses were given by the awardees and ROBNS Maria Cecilia T. Ferrater shared her experiences as a barangay nutrition scholar. Initially, she had a difficult time because she did not know what to do but with the undying support of her husband and Barangay Taruc, everything was made possible. She also expressed her thanks to NNC for giving her the opportunity to be an inspiration to others and for having a platform to provide better service and performance to her locality.
Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang administered the oath taking of the new sets of Regional Federation Officers of NAOs, BNSs, and the District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators (D/CNPCs). With the new set Regional Federation Officers, there is a new opportunity for them to provide exemplary service to their respective localities as well as in the performance of their duties and functions.
Maria Dolores M. Paredes, RND of Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines in her closing message congratulated the LGUs and distinct personalities who bagged awards and hailed them as new nutrition champions and hoped for more LGUs and people who are willing to support and provide excellent services prioritizing nutrition in their localities.
