26 November 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council Region X spearheaded the conduct of the 2021 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony last 18 November 2021 via hybrid setting—face-to-face at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City, and virtual via Zoom and Facebook Live.

Over 180 participants joined the event graced by Guest of Honor Mayor Clive D. Quiño of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Ellenieta HMV N. Gamolo of Department of Health Center for Health Development-Northern Mindanao (DOH CHD-NM), local chief executives, Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) member agencies, local nutrition workers, members of the local nutrition committees, contest finalists, and media partners. Ms. Fiona Mary M. Cabrillos, Ph.D. of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines served as the host for the event.

In her Opening Message, ARD Gamolo said, “Improving nutrition for an entire country’s population requires dedicated local leadership of which our own region’s local government units (LGUs) would have plenty of to be proud of.” She recognized the persistent efforts of the RNC and the LGUs in pursuing the goals of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition.

NNC Assistant Secretary and Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang delivered an Inspirational Message where she expressed her hopes that the success of the awardees will resonate to the other LGUs to do the same and achieve even more. Dir. Dayanghirang called on the awardees, “Help and inspire other LGUs and focal points by showing them that they can also do it. No LGU started it easy. Every awardee here rose from the ground up. There is no other way but up.”

The program proceeded with the presentation of the event overview by NNC X Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez. She gave the background of the annual event and presented the roster of nutrition awards for 2021.

This was followed by the Keynote Address delivered by Mayor Quiño. “The local government is the most critical player in ensuring a malnutrition-free community.” Mayor Quiño emphasized their LGU’s investments in human capital through establishment of nutrition office with more personnel. The sustainability of nutrition initiatives is Manolo Fortich’s proof of their commitment as they have provided for continuing opportunities and funding to excel in the implementation of nutrition programs, Mayor Quiño said.

The Presentation of Awards followed whereby awardee LGUs and local nutrition focal points were recognized:

• Green Banner Seal of Compliance
• NHA-Award of Merit
• Special Citations (LGU Contenders to National Awards)
• Regional Outstanding Local Nutrition Focal Points
• Special Citations (Focal Point Contenders to National Awards)
• Special Awards for LGUs with decreasing stunting prevalence (2018-2020)

For the first time ever, the official BNS Hymn was also presented to the whole of Region 10. The hymn was composed by Ms. Helen E. Panganiban of Central Mindanao University, and a member of the Valencia City Nutrition Committee (CNC).

The second part of the Presentation of Awards followed suit, which was on the following advocacy campaigns:

• First 1000 Days Short Filmmaking Contest: Level-up!
• Regional Nutri-Webby Awards
• Flex Mo si Nanay! Photo Contest
• NorMin TikTok Challenge: Breastfeeding TSEk!

The last leg of awards was for the members of the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team for the conduct of the annual monitoring and evaluation activities, and judges of the various contests in appreciation for their expertise and commitment in promoting nutrition.

Atty. Jose Joel P. Doromal, Mayor and Chairperson of the Municipal Nutrition Committee of Maramag, Bukidnon expressed his gratitude to the RNC for having been recognized as Green Banner Seal of Compliance recipient. Likewise, City Nutrition Action Officer Nenita F. Rabe of Cagayan de Oro City, in her response message, acknowledged the hard work of their CNC and her staff which enabled her and their LGU achieve such awards for nutrition.

The 2021 RNAC is the first of its kind as NNC X explored for the first time the conduct of a hybrid awarding ceremony. The NNC X hopes that the pandemic situation will ease in the near future so the annual activity can gather and celebrate physically the men and women behind the successful One Region in Nutrition movement. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)