Mandaue champion for nutrition efforts

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City has been recognized by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) as the lone recipient of the prestigious National Nutrition Crown Award in Central Visayas, marking a major milestone in the city’s nutrition program.

The city also ranked among the top eight local government units nationwide and received a ?500,000 grant from the NNC in recognition of its sustained and outstanding efforts to improve nutrition outcomes, particularly among children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable sectors.

The National Nutrition Crown Award is conferred on local governments that consistently demonstrate excellence in the implementation of nutrition programs and policies over several years.

City Councilor Raul Kevin Cabahug, chairman of the Committee on Health, said the recognition reflects the collective efforts of the city government, barangay officials, health workers, and partner agencies in addressing malnutrition and strengthening community-based nutrition initiatives.

“This is a national award, and Mandaue City is the only recipient in the whole of Region 7,” Cabahug said in an interview.

The ?500,000 grant is expected to further boost the city’s health and nutrition programs in the coming year.

Two months earlier, Mandaue City also received the Regional Nutrition Crown Award, where it ranked first among local government units in Central Visayas.

The National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony is held annually by the NNC following a comprehensive evaluation process that includes validation activities and scorecards to assess the performance of local governments.

Aside from the plaque of recognition, the grant will be used to fund additional projects, particularly those focused on health and nutrition initiatives, Cabahug said.

He also credited City Health Officer Dr. Debra Catulong and City Nutrition Officer Dr. Jake Ian Seno, citing the crucial role of nutritionists and barangay health workers in achieving the award.

“This was a collaborative effort of all stakeholders who supported the nutrition initiatives of Mandaue City,” Cabahug said, noting that the city’s consistent performance, from previous administrations to the present, contributed to the achievement.

Among the city’s key nutrition programs are interventions targeting children from zero to two years old, the strengthening of nutrition programs implemented down to the barangay level, and close coordination with Barangay Nutrition Councils in identifying and addressing cases of severe and moderate wasting and other forms of malnutrition.

The city also works with the Department of Education (DepEd) on school-based initiatives, including feeding programs for students.

“Niresulta gyud ang pagtinabangay gyud,” Cabahug added. — (FREEMAN)