31 May 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon vies for Nutrition Honor Award (NHA), the highest award given to a Local Government Unit (LGU) with sustained exemplary performance on nutrition program management.

Due to the pandemic, a virtual validation was conducted to evaluate the nutrition program implementation of Manolo Fortich for the year 2019 last 27-28 May 2021 via Zoom. The National Evaluation Team (NET) was composed of Ms. Jasmine Anne DF Tandingan, Nutrition Officer III of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Nutrition Surveillance Division and Ms. Eleanor Lafuente, Program Manager of PHILCAN-Helen Keller International. Aside from evaluating the LGU’s performance, the 2020 COVID-19 nutrition responses were assessed to determine the LGU’s initiatives during the pandemic.

The two-day validation comprised of desk review using the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Pro tool, learning discussion of NET with Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) members and presentation of key findings and recommendations.

Mayor Clive D. Quiño welcomed the NET in his message during the opening program. He mentioned that they have sustained the programs and efforts started by the previous Mayor, his father. He added, “The award is a bonus. What is important is we were able to deliver the nutrition services and measure if we have sustained our gains in improving the health and nutrition status of our citizenry.” Mayor Quiño further expressed his confidence in the work of the MNC and Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Christy Marie V. Alsado.

The NET commended the highly functional and motivated MNC with the leadership of Mayor Quiño, the LGU’s nutrition program initiatives and outstanding COVID-19 responses. Likewise, the involvement and support of the Barangay Nutrition Committee in the nutrition program implementation were acknowledged. 

To qualify for the NHA, the LGU must attain a minimum MELLPI score of 95%.

All the best Manolo Fortich! (NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles)