The Antipolo City local government on Tuesday, Aug. 6, announced the city's latest achievement bagging the highest recognition in the 2023 Calabarzon Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) for its outstanding nutrition program implementation of the National Nutrition Council's (NNC) Philippine Plan of Action (PPAN).
Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares said the city received the Green Banner Seal of Compliance in the said awarding ceremony adding that despite the city's high population, it still managed to achieve the said recognition.
The RNAC is a yearly event recognizing local government units (LGUs) and nutrition workers for their outstanding performance in implementing PPAN nutrition programs.
The other nutrition workers honored in the ceremony are as follows:
1. Michelle Medina - Finalist in the Search for 2022 Regional Outstanding City/Municipal Nutrition Action Officer
2. Cresta Pamela Del Valle - Finalist in the Search for 2022 Regional Outstanding City/Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinator
3. Joebel Odvina of Barangay San Luis - Finalist in the Search for 2022 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutritions Scholar
4. Hon. Edwin Avilla of Barangay Cupang - Finalist in the 2022 Search for Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee
Ynares expressed his gratitude to Regional Nutritional Program Coordinator Carina Santiago for her constant support in the province of Rizal especially in Antipolo.
On Sept. 4, the NNC launched the PPAN 2023-2028 which serves as the country’s blueprint of action for nutrition improvement held at the Manila Hotel.
The new PPAN highlights food and nutrition policies and strategies intended for stakeholders and duty-bearers from the government, non government organizations (NGOs), development partners, academe, the private sector, and local government units, and focuses primarily on addressing all forms of malnutrition with particular attention to stunting and wasting, overweight and obesity, poor infant and young child feeding practices, and micronutrient deficiencies.
“We want to prioritize nutrition and we want to be aligned with the present’s administration’s call and also with president’s eight point socioeconomic agenda and also embrace the universal health care - Department of Health (DOH) and at the same time other commitments international because we want to ensure the Filipinos will have to enjoy life having healthy and well-nourished citizen," Undersecretary and Executive Director IV - National Nutrition Council Azucena Dayanghirang said.