15 December 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – Last 11 December 2020, the National Nutrition Council Region X marks history by conducting its first ever virtual Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony through Zoom and Facebook Live.
Shifting to the new normal setting caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the 2020 RNAC was participated virtually by approximately 100 participants composed of Regional Nutrition Committee members, local chief executives, local nutrition committees and workers, contest participants, media networks and stakeholders. The event was hosted by Ms. Marites A. Gomez from the Misamis Oriental Provincial Nutrition Division.
Dr. Adriano P. Suba-an, the OIC – Director IV of the Department of Health Center for Health Development - Northern Mindanao delivered the Welcome Remarks for the event. He congratulated the local government units for their dedication in improving health and nutrition outcomes despite the current setting. Dr. Suba-an also urged the stakeholders to be nutrition warriors by converging efforts and maximizing participation in the journey towards One Region in Nutrition in the new normal.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez of NNC X gave the overview of the 2020 virtual RNAC. She explained the rationale behind the conduct of the distinct awarding ceremony, and the background of each set of awards. NPC Fernandez specifically thanked the Department of Education 10 for its assistance in disseminating the Short Filmmaking Contest.
The highlight of the awarding ceremony commenced with recognition of LGUs with Decreasing Stunting Prevalence (2017-2019). A total of 31 LGUs received Certificates of Commendation, with 19 of them recognized for the second time—the first time during the 2019 RNAC which factored in the stunting prevalence for 2016-2018—while 12 received the award for the first time.
LGUs with best practices in COVID-19 nutrition response were also awarded. These are the LGUs who implemented notable activities in response to COVID-19. LGUs which distributed healthy food packs, operationalized central kitchens, targeted dietary supplementation to address food security during quarantine, and established hotline for queries on infant and young child feeding amid COVID-19 times. 19 LGUs were awarded for this.
In reaction to receive recognition of decreasing its stunting prevalence, Misamis Oriental Councilor Nancy Madjos, in behalf of Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano, delivered the message. In her response, Councilor Madjos expressed their thanks to the entire Provincial nutrition workforce from the leadership to the barangay-based workers. She also expressed her hopes for the Province’s constituents to be able to sustain the award.
On the other hand, Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, City Mayor or Valencia City, gave her response as one of the recipients for outstanding COVID-19 responses on nutrition with their initiative, Central Kitchen. Mayor Huervas said that the Central Kitchen is established to cater the nutritional needs of frontliners and COVID-19 patients. Despite the challenges in sustaining the initiative, the City has crafted solutions to push through to recover as one.
The presentation of awards proceeded with the winners for the Stunting and First 1000 Days Short Filmmaking Contest in the New Normal where ten (10) highschools across Northern Mindanao were awarded. Special Awards were granted also. Ozamiz City National High School with the entry title, “Tropeo” bagged the first place with plaque and ₱15,000.00 cash prize.
As a part of the 2020 Nutrition Month campaign, the contest on “Nutri-Foodie para kay Baby!” was launched. The contest pooled video entries for healthy, easy, and affordable complementary foods for infants six months old and up. During the virtual RNAC, participants were awarded with certificate and cash prize, of which Ms. Sherill Faith P. Española of Cagayan de Oro City won first prize with her recipe on “Malunggay Lumpia Wrapper.”
The last batch of awards was dedicated to the maiden run of the Search for Most Active Social Media Page managed by a local nutrition office or local nutrition committee. This is to recognize the efforts of LGUs in promoting nutrition information and updates through the digital landscape. Overall winner for this pilot search is Cagayan de Oro City, besting eight other Facebook Pages that registered for the contest. Winners per criterion were also awarded as part of the Minor Awards.
To see the full list of awardees, click here.
The presentation of certificates concluded with the judges of the Nutri-Foodie para kay Baby! and Short Filmmaking Contest, as a gesture of gratitude for their time, insights and expertise. Ms. Gomez also received token and certificate from NNC X for her contribution to the success of the RNAC as the event host.
As parting message to all the participants, a tribute to all nutrition frontline workers was presented using the intermission entry of the Nutrition Action Officers of Region 10 which was premiered last 15 October 2020 for the National NAOs Conference. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
Watch the full event coverage here: https://www.facebook.com/NNCregion10/videos/139947960999270
