03 December 2013, Koronadal City - The National Nutrition Council Region XII headed by Nutrition Program Coordinator Arceli M. Latonio launched the revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) and awarded regional nutrition winners all over the region during the 2013 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held at the Convention Center of The Farm @ Carpenter Hill in Koronadal City.
A total of 220 guests graced the event composed of representatives of Local Chief Executives, Nutrition Action Officers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs), Regional Directors from different line agencies, Members of the Regional Nutrition Committee and Technical Working Group, Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team members, Chairpersons and members of the Local Nutrition Committees, Nutrition Key Persons, Information Officers, Local Media Partners, various nutrition stakeholders and partners, awardees and winners during the Nutrition Month Culmination Activity.
During the launching, each of the ten (10) messages were presented through a concise video clip and immediately followed by the unveiling of the updated messages. Afterwhich, everyone pledged their commitment of support to NGF promotion led by Ms. Maria-Bernardita T. Flores, Assistant Secretary of Health and NNC Executive Director, which was then immediately followed by the ceremonial signing.
NNC XII credited a total of 58 awards to nutrition winners in the region during the awarding ceremony. The said event aims to recognize the excellent performance of the provinces, cities and municipalities as well as Barangay Nutrition Scholars for their unrelenting pursuit to advocate and implement nutrition-related activities and interventions.
"A quitter never wins and a winner never quits", opening statement of A/Sec of Health Flores as she delivered her keynote message and challenged the region to never lose hope and continue the battle against malnutrition. She also emphasized the elements in being a winner in nutrition.
Awardees during the ceremony received their certificates of recognition and tokens including the winners during the Regional Nutrition Month Culmination Activity. In addition, green banners were given to the municipalities of Surallah, Pigcawayan and Malungon, being the outstanding municipalities in their respective provinces. Cash awards were also awarded to the longest serving BNSs as well as the outstanding BNSs in the cities, municipalities, provinces and in the region sponsored by the Department of Health-Center for Health Development XII and NNC XII. Ms. Lorena P. Cabillo of Barangay Magsaysay in Kidapawan City was recognized as the outstanding BNS in the region and was given cash award and certificate of merit signed by A/Sec of Health Flores, being one of the finalists during the search for the National Outstanding BNS. Moreover, special citations awarded by NNC XII were the Best Breastfeeding Station, Best Gulayan sa Barangay/Opisina and Best Barangay Nutrition Committee in the region. Aside from the certificates and tokens, winners of the Best Gulayan sa Barangay/Opisina also received sets of garden tools courtesy of the Department of Agriculture XII. Kidapawan City and Province of South Cotabato, the contenders for the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winners in Nutrition (CROWN), were also recognized by the region for their continued efforts in improving the nutrition situation through their effective management of local nutrition programs.
