Pampanga bested the other six provinces of Central Luzon as it bagged for the first time the 2010 Regional Green Banner Award as outstanding province in the implementation of nutrition program in the region.
Provincial Board Member Monina Laus received on behalf of Governor Lilia G. Pineda the green banner award from Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director and Regional Nutrition Committee Chair Andrew Villacorta and Maria Vicenta Magpantay, regional nutrition program coordinator, in ceremonies held at the Benigno Aquino Memorial Hall in the City of San Fernando.
Laus, who chairs the health and nutrition committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said that the award is a testimony to the successful implementation of various health and nutrition programs and services of the provincial government for the past year.
“Sustained health and nutrition programs and services such as immunization and provision of supplemental feeding to the malnourished children in various municipalities of Pampanga were conducted with the support and assistance of our local government units, barangay nutrition scholars and national government agencies.”
The provincial government under the administration of Governor Pineda has prioritized the delivery of health and nutrition services especially to the marginalized sector, she added.
Laus is positive that the award would serve as an inspiration to the provincial government’s officials and workers “to do better in the promotion and development of the nutritional status of their constituents”.
Likewise, Magpantay agrees with the lady board member that the “award shall serve as another beginning for all stakeholders to strive further, do more and do better for the improvement of the nutritional status of the target sector”.
The annual green banner award, she explained, gives due recognition to the outstanding efforts of local government units at the municipal, city and provincial level including the barangay nutrition scholars in the implementation of nutrition program in their respective areas.
Magpantay said the province of Bataan was adjudged as first runner-up in the outstanding province category with Nueva Ecija as second runner-up.
Awarded as outstanding municipality in the region were Paombong, Bulacan; Guagua, Pampanga, first runner-up and Bagac, Bataan, second runner-up.
Tarlac City emerged as outstanding city in the region with San Jose City as first runner-up and Balanga City,second runner-up.
The province of Bulacan received a plaque of recognition as 2010 consistent regional outstanding winner in nutrition (CROWN) first year maintenance.
Edna Baldovino of barangay Camanacsacan in San Jose City got the regional outstanding barangay nutrition scholar award with Cresencia Cuaresma of barangay Baguindoc,Anao,Tarlac as first runner-up and Angelina Espiritu of Barangay Abulalas,Hagonoy,Bulacan as second runner-up.
This year’s municipal green banner awardees are Dinalungan, Aurora; Bagac, Bataan; Paombong,Bulacan; Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Guagua, Pampanga; Anao,Tarlac and Candelaria, Zambales.
Magpantay said that plaques of recognition were also presented to the outstanding provincial and city barangay nutrition scholars namely: Gina Geronimo of Cabanatuan City, Elizabeth Camaya of Angeles City, Teodora Cruz of Malolos City, Maritess Supena of Nueva Ecija, Ofelia Balintay of Zambales, Rowena Kabiling of Pampanga, Florita Wenceslao of Aurora, Evelyn Padilla of Science City of Munoz, Pagasa Pragas of Bataan, Marivic Magpantay of Balanga City and Elvira Reyes of Palayan City.
Bulacan First District Representative Ma.Victoria Sy-Alvarado represented by son Jonathan Alvarado congratulated the awardees and lauded their dedication and commitment to address the nutrition needs of the target sectors, the young malnourished children especially.
Regional Director Benito Arca of the Department of Health (DOH), Elisa Salon of Budget and Management (DBM), Rosa Fortaleza of the Commission on Population (POPCOM) and Belen Garcia of Science and Technology (DOST) attended the regional awarding ceremony together with the members of the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team. (Pampanga PIO)
