CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Every year, more nutrition exemplars are added to the list in northern Mindanao, a testament to combined and persistent efforts to achieve Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat (Sufficient Nutrition for All).
During the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at Chali Resort Conference Center, Reginaldo T. Guillen, nutrition program coordinator and officer-in-charge of the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-10, stated that the increased number of local government units (LGU) nutrition focal points joining the monitoring and evaluation activities signals progress in addressing malnutrition in the region.
For the 2023 LGU category, a total of 25 local government units (LGUs) received the Green Banner Seal of Compliance, with a rating of at least 85% and with ratings not lower than 60 percent per dimension during the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan of Implementation (MELLPI) Pro conducted by the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET).
Awardees for the province of Bukidnon include Baungon, Cabanglasan, Damulog, Dangcagan, Impasug-ong, Kalilangan, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Lantapan, Maramag, Pangantucan, San Fernando, and Talakag.
Meanwhile, Guinsiliban in Camiguin, alongside municipalities in Misamis Oriental, which include Alubijid, Claveria, Jasaan, Lagonglong, Libertad, Salay, and Talisayan, and for Misamis Occidental, awardees are municipalities Baliangao and Jimenez.
El Salvador City and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental received the same award.
A total of eight LGUs were also awarded with the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) Award of Merit, the highest award in nutrition, for sustained performance, which includes Cagayan de Oro City, Malaybalay City, Valencia City, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, Kadingilan, Bukidnon, Libona, Bukidnon, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and Quezon, Bukidnon.
Rikkie Mae B. Lucero, a municipal nutrition action officer from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, was recognized as the 2023 Region 10 Outstanding Municipal Nutrition Action Officer and was a contender for the 2023 National Award.
“Our work is challenging but incredibly rewarding. I am grateful to witness firsthand the positive impact we can make and the smiles we have noticed on each of our clients. This award strengthens my commitment to our vision of creating a healthier and well-nourished community,” she said as she received her award.
Meanwhile, City Mayor Edgar S. Lignes, El Salvador City, a consistent regional outstanding winner in nutrition (CROWN) and contender for national awards, shared, “Delivering quality, inclusive health and nutrition services is one flagship program of El Salvador City to further enhance and efficiently manage our nutrition services.”
In fact, he stated that the city has built a 2-storey nutrition building that houses its integrated services to combat malnutrition. In addition to one city nutrition action officer, the city government has added two more permanent staff members to assist in the implementation of its nutrition programs.
The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028 aims to improve nutrition across all life stages through strategies such as improving consumption of healthier diets, adoption of positive nutrition practices, and increased access to quality nutrition services and enabling mechanisms. (JMOR/PIA-10)
