QUEZON CITY (PIA) — Pasig City was hailed as one of the 2023 Green Banner Seal of Compliance Awardees in Metro Manila during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on August 16, 2024, at the Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.
The Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award recognizes local government units (LGUs) that effectively implement nutrition programs in their locality. It demonstrates its commitment to improving the health of its citizens by carefully creating, conducting, and evaluating initiatives to promote good nutrition. LGUs who have had the Green Banner Award for three consecutive years will qualify for the National award which is the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN). After maintaining the CROWN for three more years, the LGU can receive the highest honor, the Nutrition Honor Award.
“Ito pong 2023 Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award ay magsisilbing karagdagang inspirasyon sa amin dito sa LGU para lalo pang pagandahin ang serbisyo at lalo pang pagandahin ang pagdeliver ng tamang nutrition sa mga kabataang Pasigueño,” remarked Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
(This 2023 Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award will serve as an additional inspiration for us to further enhance our services and improve the delivery of proper nutrition to the young Pasigueños.)
Pasig City views local ordinances and policies as crucial for promoting its nutrition programs. These regulations address community-specific needs, establish food safety and health standards, and allocate resources for nutrition programs. They also promote healthy eating, ensure compliance with health policies, and engage local stakeholders to make nutrition efforts more effective and supportive.
These local ordinances and policies have made Pasig City a nutrition champion:
- Malusog na Batang Pasigueño, Laking 1000: Focuses on maternal and child health through comprehensive services.
- Pasig City Healthy Food and Beverages: Regulates unhealthy food and drinks in schools.
- Business Permit Exemption Ordinance: Grants exemptions to sari-sari stores that sell ‘Sangkap Pinoy’ products. The Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program (SPSP) encourages food manufacturers to fortify processed foods at levels allowed by the Department of Health. This initiative aims to improve the nutritional value of food products and support better health for consumers.
- Integrated Urban Agriculture Ordinance: Supports the right to adequate food and freedom from hunger.
These strategies have significantly reduced malnutrition rates in Pasig City. By investing in such initiatives, the city boosts its current health and well-being while building a strong, thriving community that is prepared to face challenges in the future.
The RNAC, led by the National Nutrition Council (NNC), is the culminating event of the annual Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI). It evaluates how efficiently and effectively LGUs implement the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). (GLDG/PIA-NCR)
