DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — After being awarded as children-friendly city in the past years, Dumaguete received another award as Most Promising City in Central Visayas in the just recently concluded 7th Regional Nutrition Action Officers Congress and 2011 Grand Nutrition Awards.
The awarding ceremony was held at Parklane International Hotel in Cebu City and was attended by various health and nutrition officers in the region.
Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, city nutrition officer Lourdes Taburasa and city nutrition coordinator Purivic Paras received the award, which recognized the city's nutrition action plan and programs that involve a year-round supplemental feeding program for pre-school children.
Sagarbarria assured the city's underweight pre-schoolers and graders including pregnant mothers of his continued support by making funds always available for the purpose.
Other winners from Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental were Lopito Patrimonio of Brgy. Batinguel as City Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar.
Patrimonio has been a barangay nutrition worker since 2008 and re-elected regional federation vice president since 2009. He was able to organize womens group in Batinguel for livelihood activity visioning "May Bukas Pa."
Others who were awarded City Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars were Maharini Barot of Brgy. 9 in Tanjay City and Amaparo Galon of Brgy. Panubigon in Canlaon City.
Conferred with the Provincial Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar award was Virginia Villo of Brgy. Poblacion in Mabinay town, while the Most Promising Municipality award went to Zamboanguita town, all in Negros Oriental. — THE FREEMAN