The National Nutrition Council XII had once again awarded nutrition workers for their exemplary community service in the field of nutrition last November 29, 2019 at The Farm @ Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City.

A total of 220 guests with the presence of NNC Executive Director III, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MCH, CESE, which served as the keynote speaker of the event, Mayor Eliordo Ogena of Koronadal City, Mayor Romeo Tamayo of Tupi, South Cotabato and Dr.Glecy Fornan, SB member of Sultan Kudarat, graced the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony.

NPC Latonio gave her warm welcome and was deeply honoured to acknowledge the nutrition awardees. Further, she expressed that the awarding ceremony of the National Nutrition Council is amongst her most treasured occasion as it provides everyone with an opportunity to reflect on the preceding years, address the whole community and share the achievements, success, plans, strategies and innovations to encourage and inspire more others.

During the ceremony, special award was given to the Municipality of Polomolok, South Cotabato in recognition for its first round maintenance as Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (Crown), as adjudged by the National Nutrition Evaluation Team.
Moreover, the municipalities of Polomolok, South Cotabato and Arakan, Cotabato were awarded with Certificate of Quality Nutrition Program for a very satisfactory performance and Kidapawan City with satisfactory performance as adjudged by their respective Provincial Nutrition Evaluation Team. This award is given to LGUs whose nutrition program implementation is on track as proven by their overall accomplishments and compliance to 2018 nutrition standards.

On the other hand, 23 LGUs were recognized which had concerted effort in reducing the prevalence of stunting among 0-59 months old children from 2016-2018 for their efficient and effective nutrition program implementation. These LGUs were the cities of General Santos, Kidapawan and Koronadal, five (5) municipalities of South Cotabato (Norala, Surallah, Tampakan, Tupi and Sto. Niño), five (5) municipalities of Sarangani (Glan, Kiamba, Maitum, Malungon and Alabel), four (4) municipalities of Sultan Kudrat (Pres. Quirino, Lutayan, Kalamansig and Sen. Ninoy Aquino) and; six (6) municipalities of Cotabato province (Aleosan, Antipas, Arakan, Carmen, Pigcawayan and Tulunan)
The ceremony also recognized the winners of various nutrition month activities such as the Search for 2019 Best Kitchen Garden in the Workplace, Zumba Dance Video Contest (BNS and RNC Category) and Radio Infomercial Contest.

Further, topping the rest of the “Best Kitchen Garden in the Workplace” entries was the Department of Interior and Local Government XII.
For the first Radio Infomercial making Contest, Pres. Quirino Treasured Child Inc. of Sultan Kudarat Division bested other six (6) national high schools regionwide which received a total cash prize of Php7000 which was generated by the Nutri DOSE and token from the National Nutrition Council Regional Office XII.

Moreover, LGU-Midsayap bagged first place for the Zumba Dance Video Contest under BNS Category, whereas the Department of Environment and National Resources XII was declared the winner for the RNC Category.

The awardees received plaques of recognition, tokens, cash award and sets of garden tools given by the National Nutrition Council, Department of Health XII and Department of Agriculture XII.

The keynote message was given by the NNC Executive Director, Dr.Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MCH, CESE, where she highlighted four (4) key messages that will help build a stronger region for nutrition. To use the opportunity and the privilege that are given to do more for nutrition, to focus on the First 1000 Days of life, to work together as one team in achieving the targets of the RPAN and to realize the importance of disaster risk reduction and management and inclusion of activities on nutrition in emergencies program in the local nutrition action plans. Executive Director Dayanghirang then thank everyone for their unceasing efforts to scale up nutrition in their respective areas, which is a big help to improve nutrition guided by the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022. (RALaurito/AMFlores/NPC)