On December 21, 2021, the Western Visayas Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony was held in Iloilo City. The activity aims to recognize outstanding efforts of local government units and nutrition workers who have proved exemplary commitment to improving the nutritional status of their respective areas; motivate other LGUs to strive for excellence and do better in their nutrition program management; and identify good nutrition program management practices of high-performing LGUs and nutrition workers in the area that can be applied in their respective areas of responsibility.
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Regional Office hosts the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) every year to honor local government units and nutrition workers who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to improving the nutritional status of their communities. Since 1978, the NNC has given awards including trophies and cash prizes to LGUs and BNS for excellent achievement in implementing programs and improving the nutritional status of the people in their areas, notably infants, children, and mothers.
The MELLPI Pro tool is designed to monitor and analyze local nutrition program implementation, create action lines for improving PPAN implementation at the local, regional, and national levels, and assess the success of PPAN priority implementation at the local level.
This year's validation is the first to be conducted exclusively online, and an updated tool was utilized, which was developed in response to input received during the 2019 transition. The reference year was 2019 Accomplishments, and the 2020 Nutrition-related accomplishments were reported.
LGUs with outstanding performance in nutrition program implementation, Provincial Nutrition Action Officers, and BNSs with outstanding accomplishments/achievements in their respective areas are recognized with awards.
The region's outstanding provincial nutrition action officer (PNAO) is chosen from several provinces. The nutrition action officer oversees the coordination of the local nutrition program's overall execution and administration. To execute and administer the nutrition program efficiently and effectively, all LGUs must establish functional local nutrition committees.
Using NNC's assessment tool, the Regional Outstanding BNS is chosen from among the more than 4,600 BNSs deployed across the area. BNS (Barangay Nutrition Scholars) are community volunteer nutrition workers who are stationed in every barangay. They are in charge of keeping track of children's nutritional status and aiding in the delivery of nutrition programs in their particular barangays.
