Baguio reaps national nutrition awards

BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan lauded the collective performance of city officials and employees which garnered three national awards for the city.

The mayor joined the office staff which received the awards last week with the Baguio City Nutrition Council for the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) and the child-friendly local government unit.

The CROWN maintenance and P100,000 cash award was received by Health Services Officer head Dr. Rowena Galpo, Nutrition Action Officer Angelita Sabado and BCNC staff from Secretary of Health Franciso Duque and Assistant Secretary Maria Bernardita Flores, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The first year CROWN award is given to the local government unit having consistently garnered three years of green banner, excellence in implementing basic nutrition programs and innovative projects in their respective area, as evaluated in selected barangays by a national body.

For the CROWN award, the city has implemented a livelihood caregivers’ class, search for best senior citizens organic garden, “saktong iodine sa asin,” and continuing education and recognition system programs for nutrition causes.

Barangay Imelda Village-based Nutrition Scholar Imelda Dagupon was also recognized as a finalist for National Outstanding BNS, with seven others nationwide.

The nutrition of each child should be sustained and maintained, as poor nutrition affects all aspects of growth and development, Domogan said during the media forum last week.

For the Childfriendly local government unit award, the city stays on top three, next to Davao city, the mayor announced.

City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) Head Cordelia Lacsamana travelled with forester Floro Bastian and staff to receive the national recognition, the mother nature trophy and cash incentive for the adoption of “tree rehabilitation, tree health assessment and tree surgery.”

The award was given on the occasion of the 30th anniversary by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources based on the impact of the technology on the environment and communities.

The technology made a difference in the health of 60 century-old, diseased and dying trees in Rizal Park, Burnham Park, Rose Garden, Botanical garden, Wright Park and City hall grounds; and prevention of diseases from spreading to watersheds.

The technology transfer was presented by Dr. Carlos Arida Sr. of the Watershed and Water Resources Research Center, as part of the City’s Tree Management and Improvement Program of the CEPMO’s Forestry Division. Julie Fianza