SOCCSKSARGEN—The National Nutrition Council XII held its 2021 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on December 9, 2021 at The Farm@Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City and via online platform. Spearheaded by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Ms. Retsebeth M. Laquihon, RND, MPD, MDM, the first ever blended awarding ceremony was attended by around 160 participants for both on-site and online. It also reached a total of 1,300 views through Facebook livestreaming. Gracing the event were DOH-CHD XII Regional Director, Dr. Aristides C. Tan, DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Leysa, Executive Director of Zuellig Family Foundation, Mr. Austere Panadero and Save the Children Head of Southcentral Mindanao Office, Ms. Ivy G. Caballes, RN.
NNC XII recognized the exemplary contributions of nutrition champions in the region. Among the awards given were the Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars, White Heron and RAISE (Regional Awardees for an Innovative Service deliveries on Eradicating malnutrition), LGUs with High Coverage on 2021 EOPT Plus and LGUs who have successfully established their Breastmilk Storage Facility. Special citations were also given to NNC XII’s foremost partners for their invaluable contributions as nutrition advocates in the region, which include the Regional Nutrition Committee-Technical Working Group, Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team, Regional Media Group and Developmental Partners (Non-government Organizations). Meanwhile, Ms. Genalyn Fernando, BNS of Barangay Malibatuan, Arakan, North Cotabato was conferred as the 2019 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar. All awardees were given Plaque of Recognition with cash prizes for the Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
Other highlights of the event were the Ceremonial Toasting followed by a community singing as an expression of honor or goodwill in recognizing the hard work of every individual especially the leaders, health, and nutrition frontliners, nutrition warriors and nutrition advocates.
RNPC Laquihon expressed her utmost gratitude to all LGUs, Local Nutrition Focal Points, Regional Nutrition Committee Members, various organizations and other developmental partners who continue to work with the government in building a healthy community and made nutrition a key concern. (NO II Aurel/NOIII AMF/RNPC)
