CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--A total of three local government units (LGUs) and two local nutrition focal points from Region 10 were awarded for implementing effective nutrition programs during the 2021 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (NNAC) organized by the National Nutrition Council, March 23, Hilton Manila.

In the region, the municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon received the most coveted Nutrition Honor Award (NHA), the highest award for nutrition given to an LGU to achieve a minimum score of 95.0 percent as evaluated by a multi-sectoral national nutrition evaluation team.

Aside from the trophy, the NNC awarded the municipality a grant of P1million. To qualify, Manolo Fortich had to put in more than six years of great performance, according to NNC. 

On the other hand, Misamis Occidental Province received its 2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award with a score of at least 93.0 percent for efficient and effective nutrition program management. A trophy and P200,000 was awarded to the province. Meanwhile, Misamis Occidental is also one year away from NHA.

On the other hand, with a score of 90.0 percent, Cagayan de Oro City received P100,000 as the lone LGU to qualify for the First Year CROWN Maintenance Award.

Aside from LGUs, the NNC recognized these local nutrition focal points of LGUS: Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) Marichu G. Tijing, Misamis Occidental - National Outstanding PNAO and City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) Nenita F. Rabe, Cagayan de Oro City - National Outstanding CNAO.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered a written and video message congratulating the NNC and all winners on their successful collaboration that has benefited Filipinos, especially infants and children. “I am one with you in honoring the outstanding LGUs and LNFPs who have contributed much to the effective and efficient of our health and nutrition programs," he said.

The awarding ceremony is an annual event of the National Nutrition Council to recognize outstanding LGs with effective and efficient implementation of nutrition programs, resulting in improved nutrition situations for infants, young children, and mothers. It's also the first time that NNC has awarded exceptional local nutrition action officers and district/city/municipal nutrition program coordinators for their invaluable work.

The NNC organized teams at the national and regional levels to evaluate the contenders virtually from April to November 2021 for their accomplishments in 2019. The final winners were verified and confirmed by the NNC Technical Committee. (NNC-10/PIA-10)