Baguio nutrition workers awarded

Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – “Nutrition is a very critical concern during emergencies,” National Nutrition Council-Cordillera Administrative Region regional coordinator Rita Papey said during the culminating program and awarding ceremonies at the Baguio Convention Center last week.

Papey served as speaker for the 40th year of nutrition month celebration, together with Acting Regional Director of the Office of the Civil Defense-CAR Andrew Alex Uy.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Kalamidad Paghandaan: Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan!”

Were done for the month, but should not end there; nutrition and health workers said. Among the nutrition-focused activities were “biggest loser,” “most improved underweight,” medical missions, feeding of underweight children, contests in poster-making, poems, essay-writing, song and talent shows, cooking contests. Healthiest puroks and nutrition gardens were judged, sustainable livelihood trainings were done, educational campaigns, lectures on recycling and Dengue-prevention were conducted.     

All activities are done in coordination with the city government, Nutrition Council of the Baguio City Health Department (BHD), Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Urban Science and Technology Center (USTC), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and the different health districts in the barangays.

A nutrition quiz was conducted at the Health Services Office where Kristine Lim from Magsaysay ES, Victor Asuncion of Dona Aurora ES and Jennica Rae Las-sin of San Luis Elementary Schools won first, second and third places, respectively, bringing home gift packs and certificates of recognition.

Loakan, Fort del Pilar, Rizal, Dominican, Sto. Tomas and Brookspoint elementary schools were also represented during the quiz.

For the high school category, Pines City National High School placed first, with Quezon Hill National High School and Baguio City National High School main, second and third, respectively.`

At the convention center, loyal nutrition workers in the offices and barangays received plaques, certificates and cash awards.

Among those awarded were MRR Queen of Peace with Punong Barangay Catherine Quinones ; Imelda Village with PB Arturo Rapelo, Jr., and Pacdal with PB Roberto Medina, with cash prizes of P15,000, P13,000 and P11,000, respectively.

Lourdes Subdivision Extension with punong barangay Benjamin Macadangdang received P9,000, West Quirino Hill with PB Rodolfo Rimando received P7,000, while Gibraltar with PB Edward Aclopen, Upper Quezon Hill with PB Lilia Farinas, Lourdes Subdivision Proper under PB BonifacioQuichoIII, and SLU-SVP under PB Benjamin Lacasandile received certificates.

As outstanding barangay nutrition scholar, Purita Perez of MRR Queen of Peace received  P5,000 as cash prize; Margarita Zapanta of Upper Quezon Hill received P4,000; Brenda Padopad of  West Quirino Hill, P3,000; Monica Sicat of City Camp Proper, P2,000; Zenaida Dana of Gibraltar, P1,000; and Imelda Tibalao of SLU-SVP and Jane Liwan of Gibraltar received certificates.

Best performing barangay nutrition action officer MarilouBatara MRR Queen of Peace received P5,000; Myrna Rodriguez of Lourdes Subdivision Extension, P4,000; Juliet Wakit of West Quirino Hill, P3,000; Bernadette Quicho of Lourdes Subdivision Proper, P2,000; and VovelynHermano of SLU-SVP, P1,000.

City Nutrition Evaluation Team Chairperson Amor Lapastora of the Department of Interior and Local Government City Field Office, Alberto Tomas of the City Mayor’s Office; Bernadette Brillantes of the Planning and Development Office; Frolaine Aprilyn Dannang of the Liga ng mga Barangay/ABC; Janine Abalos of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and Albert Jose Sumadchat of the Red Cross Baguio Chapter were also acknowledged.  

Angelita Tayaban Sabado City nutrition program coordinator was also awarded for 25 years of service; retired health officer Dr. Florence Reyes, 20 years of service, Nurse Purificacion Serna, 15 years; Emilia Tallongen, for serving 10 years as secretariat of the Baguio City Nutrition Council, and  member of the Technical working group Jo Ann Alvez.

Remedios Martinez of Engineers Hill was awarded for 20 years of service as Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Elsie Bacod of Happy Hallow and Jo Ann Alvez of Salud Mitra were also awarded for 15 years of service.

For 5 years service P1,000 each was given to Virginia Alagon, Louela Mina, Magdalena Saturnino, Luz Laop, and Aida Malanta, all of Irisan; Marilyn Bona of ABCR; Janeth Cuello of Honeymoon-Holy Ghost; Ma. Elena del Rosario of Sto. Nino; Imelda de Vera of Trancoville, Noemi Garcia of T. Alonzo, Cristina Limayog of Pinsao Pilot, Sheila Marie Mancio of Sto. Tomas Proper, and Lourdes Miguel of Padre Zamora barangays.

For 10 years of service as Barangay Nutrition Action Officer (BNAO), Madonna Adam of North Central Aurora Hill, CristeneBenbenenSto. Tomas Central, Marcelina Ciano of Happy Hallow, Edith Garado of Gabriela Silang, and Myrna Rodriguez of Lourdes Subdivision Extension, were given P2,000 each.

For 5 years of service as BNAO, P1,000 each was given to Remedios Canite of Poliwes, Jocelyn Dilan of Fort del Pilar, LoidaDumagas of Upper Rock Quarry, Noemi Garcia of T Alonzo, Vovelyn Hermano of SLU-SVP, Rosario Mancio of Sto. Tomas Proper, Jeanette GraalSuliva of Pinsao Pilot.  

The certificates were awarded by Acting Mayor Edison Bilog, Councilors Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Fred Bagbagen and Joel Alangsab.

Acting Mayor Bilog acknowledged the awardees saying in life, everybody should be well-prepared. Faith in God should always be in our everyday deeds, as during emergency situations, he added.