The Pasig City local government recognized on Wednesday, Nov. 2, the local nutrition committee’s achievements after they took home two major awards during the 2022 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony.
During the flag raising ceremony, City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO) Jenily Capalaran presented to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr., city councilors, and other city hall employees the awards they were conferred.
The committee received the award for Most Innovative LGU in the Implementation of Nutrition Program, noting their “creativity, resourcefulness, and innovativeness in the conceptualization and implementation resulting in quality nutrition programs management.”
The innovative program that brought home this distinguished recognition was the “Malusog na Batang Pasigueno (MBP)”, Pasig’s flagship program.
Through the MBP, the local government distributes nutritional food packs and vitamins to all public school students to ensure their health, especially during the pandemic.
They also took home the award for Best LGU in the Implementation of Infant and Young Child Feeding Program for “strengthening community-based health and nutrition support, establishment of breastfeeding places in non-health establishments, and strict enforcement of the milk code.”
Three members of the local committee were hailed as well for their individual efforts and contributions.
In his speech, Sotto also emphasized the importance of nutrition as part of the implementation of universal healthcare in the city.
“Para maging successful ang kalusugang pangkalahatan, kailangan ang preventive ay inaasikaso natin. Ang nutrition ay isang parte nito (In order for universal healthcare to be successful, we have to focus and pay attention to preventive healthcare. Nutrition is a part of this),” he said.
The awards were determined upon the assessment made by the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) of the National Nutrition Council - National Capital Region (NNC-NCR).
The RNET yearly conducts monitoring and evaluation of the local-level planning and implementation of LGUs in regards to nutrition initiatives and programs.
The Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony was held last Friday, Oct. 28, at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.
The annual ceremony honored the LGUs, city and municipal nutrition action officers, local nutrition program coordinators, and barangay nutrition scholars who have shown their exemplary efforts in “nutrition program management and delivery of nutrition services.”
The awarding body also lauded stakeholders for actively cooperating with the Department of Health (DOH) and contributing to its mandate of providing high-quality healthcare to the public.