Taguig bags CROWN Award for quality nutrition programs

Best in NCR, among the best in PHL

For its superlative implementation of its nutrition programs for three consecutive years, Taguig City received the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award during the 2016 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center last December 13.

Taguig City was awarded by the National Nutrition Council with a CROWN trophy and P500,000 cash prize. Taguig City Nutrition Office head Julie Bernabe, City Health Officer Dr. Isaias Ramos, and Councilor Rodil “Tikboy” Marcelino represented the city government during the awarding ceremony.

The CROWN award is given to a local government unit (LGU) with outstanding implementation of its nutrition action plan for three consecutive years. Only 11 LGUs were bestowed the CROWN award for 2016, and Taguig City is the sole recipient from the National Capital Region.

Some of the city’s nutrition programs include the exclusive breastfeeding promotion for infants aged 0-6 months and appropriate complementary feeding, and the congress “Laging Alagaan Nutrisyon ni Inay” where pregnant women especially those still in their teenage years are taught of ways to ensure safe motherhood and healthy pregnancy through proper diet and lifestyle.

Taguig also conducts a Food Assistance program under which undernourished children in the city are fed for 90 days to help them get the nutrition their bodies need. And with the City Agriculture Office’s provision of seedlings and planting materials, the city also encourages families with children to establish their own urban community vegetable gardens.

Bernabe said that the entire city is happy with the achievement. “This is a group effort done entirely by various people at the local government unit. We will not be able to achieve this without the help of our city mayor, the 43 barangay nutrition scholars, the City Nutrition Committee and the barangay captains and leaders who implement the program.”

Asked where they will use the P500,000 cash prize they received, Bernabe said it has been put into a trust fund and will be used in positive building activities, trainings and in purchasing office equipment and materials which they might need for the implementation of their nutrition programs.

The City Nutrition Office plans to double up their work efficiency to be able to maintain the sustainability of their programs in order to achieve the National Nutrition Council’s top award – the Nutrition Honor Award. ###