23 March 2020, Cagayan de Oro City - City Mayor Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal and the Asenso Ozamiz Team through the City Nutrition Office of Ozamiz City headed by City Nutrition Action Officer Lelita G. Navarez committed to provide nourishment for the uniformed and health personnel carrying out their tasks as COVID-19 frontliners.
Mayor Ando Oaminal issued Executive Order No. 2020-SFO-11 placing Ozamiz City under community quarantine from 18-31 March 2020 as an effort to protect the city against the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Measures enumerated in the EO includes limiting of the movement of residents to avail essential needs, prohibition of entry via land, air and sea, regulated entry of goods and supplies, among others.
Through this effort, uniformed personnel, alongside health and quarantine officials are deployed to border points to ensure order in the implementation of the policy. Mayor Ando Oaminal is in full support of the uniformed personnel by providing them financial assistance and nourishment through the City Nutrition Office as they fulfill their duties around-the-clock.
CNAO Navarez, together with Nutrition Office staff, trustees and one staff from the City Police Office, have been feeding the frontliners daily since 20 March 2020. They utilize the kitchen in the City Police Station to prepare the foods from 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM, a total of 15 hours everyday. As team leader, CNAO Navarez is in-charge of meal planning, marketing and general supervision to ensure that foods being given to the frontliners adhere to the Pinggang Pinoy and the principles of nutrition (variety, moderation, balance) and to make sure that the overall operation is going well. Her team members, on the other hand, are in-charge in food preparation, cooking and kitchen clean-up.
“It is with great pleasure that the Nutrition Services Division is able to help our Mayor in his deep concern for the frontline workers. We are not just preparing meals, we are serving our police officers and health personnel with love and commitment. Thank you, Mayor Ando, for giving us the opportunity to serve.” CNAO Navarez said.
Her team of eight (8) is in-charge of feeding at least 120 police officers, Highway Patrol Groups, and health personnel (doctors and nurses) on duty for COVID-19. This effort is their share that they take wholeheartedly in ensuring that Ozamiz City is safe from the threats of COVID-19 by giving the frontliners adequate nutrition. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
