Naga nutrition awardees named

By Gerald O. Enguero
Bicol Mail

As this city celebrated its 38th Nutrition Month, top performers as outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committees, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, partner civic organizations, and stakeholders were given due recognition for helping the city government sustain its reputation as a consistent national Hall of Fame awardee in the field of effective health care and nutrition.

With this year’s theme, “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain!” a culminating program led by City Mayor John G. Bongat, city nutrition committee chairman, was held August 1 at the Regent Hotel Convention Center here.

City Nutrition and Population Officer Teresita A. del Castillo said that aside from the usual awards, winners were also selected in the new programs introduced, such as “Taranoman sa Tamang Nutrisyon,” “Gulayan sa Barangay Contest,” and the “On-The-Spot Junior Veggies Cooking Contest.

Taranoman sa Tamang Nutrisyon is a program that aims to improve the nutritional status of school children by using vegetable as main ingredient in the school feeding program. It also aims to encourage school officials and school children to plant vegetables and fruits as a means of producing healthy food for home and community.

The program was implemented by the different public elementary schools in Naga. Twelve schools were cited for their commendable implementation of the program and were awarded with plaques of commendation and garden tools.

For Small Area Category: Carolina Elementary School, first place; Naga Central School I, second; Concepcion Grande Elementary School, the third place.

For Medium Area Category: Dr. Domingo Abcede Elementary School, first place; Don Manuel Abella Elementary School, second place; Mabolo Elementary School, third place.

For Large Area Category: Panicuason Elementary School, first place; Villa Grande Elementary School, second place; Morada Ramos Elementary School, third place.

For High School Category: Camarines Sur National High School, first place; Carolina High School, second place; and Don Leon Mercado High School, third place.

The Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) is aimed at evaluating the performance of BNS and checking improvement of the nutritional status of every barangay in the Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Marilou Jimenez received a cash prize of P2,000 and a plaque of commendation.

With Concepcion Grande as a Hall of Fame Awardee after having won as Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee for the past three years, this year’s most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee went to Barangay Carolina that won a cash prize of P5,000. Second place went to Barangay Del Rosario with a cash prize of P3,000, and third place went to Barangay Sabang with a cash prize of P1,000.

The Gulayan sa Barangay Contest was introduced last year to encourage the people in the city’s 27 barangays to plant vegetables and fruits for their feeding program while interacting with fellow members in the community.

This year’s winners: For Small Area category, Barangay Tinago was adjudged first place and won a cash prize of P4,000; Concepcion Pequeña, second with P3,500 cash prize; and Barangay Mabolo, third, with a cash prize of P3,000.

For Medium Area category, Barangay Sta. Cruz won first place and  P4,000 cash; Barangay Triangulo, second, witht P3,500; and Barangay Calauag, third place, with P3,000 cash prize.

For Large Area Category, Barangay San Felipe, first place, with cash prize of P4,000; Barangay Abella, second, with P3,500;  and Barangay Concepcion Grande, third, with P3,000.

In the “On the Spot Junior Veggies Cooking Contest,” Juana Marie Roman, of Barangay Tabuco won first place and a cash prize of P3,000; Crisalyn Harriette A. Vida of Barangay Tinago won second and received P2,000 cash; while Mary Jane San Agustin of Barangay Cararayan was adjudged third place with a cash prize of P1,000. Participants in the contest were aged 10-12 years old.

Del Castillo said, “We decided to create a program which includes the children in our city for them to value more the importance of nutritious food.”