With great effort and commitment, Valencia City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) Hazel P. Dondonayos earnestly worked for the improvement of the city's nutrition situation which resulted to positive outcomes. Her uncontested efforts awarded her the 2021 Regional Outstanding City Nutrition Action Officer title.

Since the Valencia City LGU received the Nutrition Honor Award in 2016, CNAO Dondonayos is instrumental in sustaining the gains of the city until present, through the supportive leadership of the LGU, and the contributions of the City Nutrition Committee and her staff. The following are the award-worthy best practices of CNAO Dondonayos:

• Intensified planning sessions at the city and barangay levels. CNAO Dondonayos along with the City Nutrition Program Coordinators (CNPCs) work together in ensuring that nutrition PPAs are coordinated and implemented down to the barangay level. Under her direction, the Barangay Nutrition Committees are involved in crafting their Barangay Nutrition Action Plan with constant supervision from the City Nutrition Committee Office.

• Organization of CNC-Technical Working Group (TWG). On top of the regular members of the CNC, CNAO Dondonayos facilitated the organization of the CNC-TWG, supported by local policy, whose main functions are to provide technical support and inputs to the committee and to conduct evaluation activities to the BNCs and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs).

• Establishment of Valencia City Nutrition and Human Physical Development Division (CNHPDD). Through her persistent efforts in the recent years, CNAO Dondonayos provided substantial inputs to the City Ordinance re restructuring of the to propel further the CNCO, now CNHPDD. This division is primarily responsible for formulating food and nutrition policies and strategies, coordinating, planning, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programs, as well as capacity building, research, and skills development on nutrition. At least 50 plantilla items are identified to man the CNHPDD, a first-time feat for any local government.

• Establishment of Nutripan Bakeshop. In coordination and partnership with the Mahintana Foundation and Mt. Kitanglad Agri Development Corp. (MKADC), the City of Valencia was able to put up Nutripan Bakeshop. Nutripan is used as feeding commodity for target groups, and the income from the bakeshop will be used to augment other nutrition programs.

• Initiated the provision of Social Security System (SSS) benefits for BNSs. As a barangay nutrition volunteer, CNAO Dondonayos see to it that the BNSs will be provided with a social insurance program that aims to protect its members and beneficiaries. This is aside from the assistance and honorarium provided by the city and barangays. Further, CNAO Dondonayos ensures that the BNS honoraria will be established by the issuance of a resolution.

Additionally, since 2021, CNAO Dondonayos serves as the Chairperson of the Northern Mindanao Mentoring Initiative for Nutrition (NorMIN) Regional Shepherding Team, a group of nutrition experts at the regional and local levels with the objective to guide and mentor fellow LGUs for better nutrition program management.

The 13 years in service was not an easy journey for CNAO Dondonayos. She encountered several episodes of ups and downs, but it did not discourage her. Rather, she took them as a steppingstone to push further Valencia City’s vision of a “City of Nutritionally Healthy Citizenry”.

CNAO Dondonayos also credits all her accomplishments to the CNC members under the leadership of City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, CNC stakeholders and partners, and the CNHPDD staff.

Further, she continuously aspires for the improvement of the health and nutrition status of all Valencianos. Her dedication and commitment are an inspiration not only to her colleagues and staff but to all nutrition movers in delivering quality nutrition services. (CNAO Valencia City/ NNC X)