Mandaluyong, other cities, recognized for outstanding nutrition initiatives

In recognition of the efforts of local government units (LGUs)in improving their nutrition programs, the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) gave awards to outstanding performance of several individuals and LGUs in Metro Manila.

Hosted by Mandaluyong, the Nutrition Awarding Ceremony was held August 18 at the Isla Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City and showcased outputs and programs from representative individuals and groups from their respective areas.

This year’s recipient of the Green Banner Award is Mandaluyong City. The award is given to the city with the most outstanding nutrition implementation and management program. Manila and Pasig City were named first and second runner-up, respectively.

Other awards were given to LGUs with impressive programs in some areas:

Mandaluyong received the Best in Documentation of nutrition reports and programs; Taguig, Most Effective in Improving the Nutritional Status of Preschool Children; Makati for Most Effective in Improving the National Status of School Children; both Caloocan and Marikina took home the Best Infant and Young Child Feeding Initiatives; and Las Pinas for the Most Improved MELLPI Scores from 2008-2010.

For the individual category, Ma. Theresa Candelario of Mandaluyong city was awarded the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar for her dedication and hard work in the implementation of their city’s nutrition projects.

Concepcion Benosa of Makati and Nilda Aguilar of Pasig were first and second runner-up, respectively.

The awarding of the winners in the poster-making contest and the jingle-making contest also took place during the event.

For the On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest which was held last July 16, Elmer Grefaldo of Moonwalk National High School in Paranaque took home the grand prize. Reinhart James Torres of Highway Hills Integrated School in Mandaluyong was second placer, and Reymond Malarnas from Rajah Soliman Science and Technology High School took home the third prize.

The Poster-making Contest was a showcase of the students’ interpretation of the significance of breastfeeding in the promotion of nutrition among children.

Present in the event were Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos, members of the RNC, nutrition teams of the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila, barangay captains, and representatives national government agencies.

The event closed with the presentation of the award-winning jingles in the recently-adjudged Jingle Singing Contest. The teams from Mandaluyong, Marikina, and San Juan showcased their rendition of nutrition-inspired jingles. San Juan bagged this year’s top prize in the Jingle Singing contest.