City Nutrition programs receive Green Banner Award

Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene B Arcillas displays the Green Banner as she poses with Center for Health Development-DOH Assistant Regional Director Corazon Flores, MD. (4^th from left), NNC Calabarzon Nutrition Program Coordinator Carina Santiago (6^th from left), DILG Regional Director Josefina Castilla-Go (5^th from right), Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito (4^th from right), CNAO Carmencita Catindig (3^rd from right), City Councilor Antonia Laserna (2^nd from right), and former NNC Calabarzon Nutrition Program Coordinator Alicia Ramos (rightmost). Also in the photo are staff from the City Nutrition Office, City Outstanding BNS Menue Batitis (3^rd from left), former Tagapo. Brgy Chairperson Marietta Bartolazo (6^th from right). (CIO Sta. Rosa)

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For championing the cause of promoting good nutrition among its people, the City of Santa Rosa now brandishes another award - the Green Banner Award from the National Nutrition Council Region IV-A during the 2013 Joint Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony for CALABARZON & MIMAROPA held on December 6, 2013 at the Heritage Hotel, Pasay City. Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas personally received the accolade.

Mayor Arcillas said that she is very pleased that the City is once again being recognized for its nutrition programs. “For years now, we have been aiming for the zero-malnourished children status when it comes to the nutritional status of our constituents especially the children. I am happy that each year we are able to get closer to reaching that goal and this award attests to that,” she said.

She also expressed regret that the city failed to hit the mark last year. “We were very disappointed when we were not able to maintain our Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award but we just looked at it as a challenge to improve our programs on nutrition and think of more innovations,” the Mayor said. She added that the City Nutrition Office, headed by City Nutrition Action Officer Carmencita Catindig, is working diligently to address the gaps in the previous evaluation and to help secure the City’s standing as a champion of nutrition.

Aside from the Green Banner Award, the City also received two more awards. Brgy. Tagapo received the City Outstanding Barangay and Outstanding Barangay in the Region. The Barangay was recognized for its innovative programs implemented during the administration of former Barangay Chairperson Marietta Bartolazo.

Bartolazo started the School On Wheels to Relevant Education Access Program (SOW to REAP) in September 2010 which benefitted indigent children aged 3-6 years old who, for financial constraints, cannot attended a day care school. Classes are held twice a week in select five areas in Barangay Tagapo. The parents of the beneficiary children also learned information relevant to their needs and condition such as proper child care, benefits of breastfeeding, family aid treatment, home management and livelihood training.

Another beneficial project of Bartolazo is the Adopt-A-Lot Program which gave an opportunity for residents to earn extra income by planting crops on idle lots while being able to assist in keeping the surrounding clean and green.

Meanwhile, Barangay Nutrition Scholar Menue Batitis assigned in Brgy. Tagapo was also recognized as the City Outstanding BNS and for being a Finalist in the Search for the 2012 Regional Outstanding BNS in the CALABARZON Region. Batitis, through the support of then Brgy. Chairperson Bartolazo, also initiated innovations herself which led to her getting distinguished as the City Outstanding BNS. Some of the programs she mentioned are ‘Sagip-Buhay Kontra Malnutrisyon’ where she encourages mothers with four or more children to undergo ligation; ‘Pagbubuntis Mo, Aalagaan Ko’, a program where she assists mothers in applying for an ID for the PhilHealth ng Masa Program of the City Government to aid in the mothers’ delivery.

While Mayor Arcillas is happy with the award, she said, “More than any award, our greatest source of happiness and satisfaction is seeing our children grow healthy and well-nourished.  This, to us, makes the City of Santa Rosa a wealthy city far beyond any riches.”

Recent awards received by the City were:

·         First Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award given during the 2011 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held in October 25, 2011.

·         Pabasa sa Nutrisyon Maintenance Award given by the Provincial Nutrition Action Office in 2011.

·         Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award given during the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held on November 4, 2010.

·         Hall of Fame Award on the Implementation of Pabasa sa Nutrisyon awarded by the Philippine Association of Nutrition in 2009

·         Exemplary Award on the Implementation of Pabasa sa Nutrisyon awarded by Philippine Association of Nutrition in  2008

·         Green Banner Award (Outstanding City on Nutrition Program in CALABARZON Region IV A) by the National Nutrition Council in 2007-2009

·         Outstanding City on the Implementation of PABASA sa Nutrisyon awarded by Philippine Association of Nutrition in 2007 (CIO Santa Rosa/MVC)

http://santarosacity.gov.ph/articlesview.php?ID=150

City of Santa Rosa BNSs crowned Ms. Calabarzon BNS 2013

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BNS means BIDA ang BNS ng Santa Rosa. Winners Rosiel Madrigal (in black gown) crowned as the Ms. Calabarzon BNS 2013 for Category A (Ages 20-39)and Sarah Villacarillo (in red gown) crowned 1^st Runner Up for Category B (Ages 40-60) pose with CNAO Carmencita Catindig (3^rd from right) and fellow staff from the City Nutrition Office. The coronation was conducted during the 1^st Regional Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress held last October 18, 2013 at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City. (CIO Sta. Rosa)

Winners Rosiel Madrigal (middle, in black gown) crowned as the Ms. Calabarzon BNS 2013 for Category A (Ages 20-39) and Sarah Villacarillo (in red gown) crowned 1^st Runner Up for Category B (Ages 40-60)  pose with CNAO Carmencita Catindig (5^rd from left), NNC Calabarzon Nutrition Program Coordinator Carina Santiago (7^th from left), and fellow staff from the City of Santa Rosa Nutrition Office. The coronation was conducted during the 1^st Regional Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress held last October 18, 2013 at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City. (CIO Sta. Rosa)

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The two candidates of the City of Santa Rosa for the first ever Search for Ms. Calabarzon BNS 2013 came home with titles – Rosiel Madrigal was crowned as the Ms. BNS 2013 for Category A (Ages 20-39) while Sarah Villacarillo was 1^st Runner Up for Category B (Ages 40-60) . The coronation was conducted during the 1^st Regional Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress held last October 18, 2013 at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City.

In the question and answer portion, Madrigal was asked “As a BNS, what else can she contribute to her barangay?” She answered: “Sa pakikipagtulungan ko sa aming Barangay Nutrition Committee, gumagawa kami ng programang makatutulong sa aming ka-barangay kagaya ng Adopt-A-Lot kung saan ang mga bakanteng lupa ay ipinagpapaalam naming sa may-ari para pagtaniman ng mga butong gulay upang makatulong sa mga magulang ng aming recipient.”

Madrigal described her experience as a happy one because despite her age, she was still able to compete in a beauty pageant. “Dito natutunan kong maging confident at na-realize ko na kaya ko pala.” Aside from being the Ms. Calabarzon BNS 2013 (Category A), she also received the Best in Sportswear and Best in Casual Wear.

It was an unforgettable experience for Villacarillo as well. “It is a big privilege for me to join this first ever search for Ms.Calabarzon BNS. It really boosted my morale and confidence,” she said.

During the Q & A, she was asked if it is worthy to regularly hold events like the Regional BNS Congress. Villacarillo answered: “Dapat po, upang magkaroon ng camaraderie sa mga BNS gayundin malaman ang iba’t ibang activities sa kani-kanilang lugar o lungsod.”

Both Madrigal and Villacarillo are thankful to City Nutrition Officer Carmencita Catindig and their fellow BNS for their support starting from the pre-pageant held last September 10 at the Ynares Hall until the coronation. They are grateful as well to their respective barangay chairpersons and to City Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas who supported them not only during the contest but in all their programs under the City Nutrition Office.

Meanwhile, Catindig is very happy for her two Barangay Nutrition Scholars who made the City proud not only for shining in the Ms. Calabarzon BNS 2013 but also for performing their duties everyday as BNS. “Syempre, masaya ako sa pagkakapanalo ng ating mga kandidata sa nasabing contest pero higit ang  saya ko gayundin ng pamahalaang lungsod kapag maayos at epektibong nilang nagagampanan ang kanilang mga tungkulin na paglingkuran ang mamamayan, partikular ang kabataan ng Lungsod ng Santa Rosa. Iyon para sa akin ang nais namin na patuloy na makamit, higit sa mga titulo o korona,” said Catindig.

The Ms. Calabarzon BNS 2013 is one of the highlights of the first ever Regional Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress with the theme "BNS 4A, Ikaw na, The Best Ka!" The congress aimed to help recognize the importance of BNS in the implementation of nutrition programs nationwide, improve their skills, build camaraderie and boost their morale.

In her speech, NNC Calabarzon Nutrition Program Coordinator Carina Santiago called on all BNS who attended the congress to memorize by heart the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF), “Sapagkat iyan ang gagamitin ninyong armas sa pagpapalaganap ng wastong nutrisyon sa inyong barangay.” Attendees came from the five provinces and 17 cities in the region.

NNC Calabarzon organized the event in cooperation with the Regional Nutrition Committee, Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars Inc. of Region IV-A, Regional Technical Working Group on Nutrition, Provincial and City Nutrition Action Officers, and Communicators’ Network for Nutrition in Region IV-A. (CIO Santa Rosa/MVC)

http://santarosacity.gov.ph/articlesview.php?ID=142

Southern Tagalog LGUs, BNS recognized for exemplary performance in nutrition

(CNN4A Photos)

Friday 3rd of January 2014

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, January 3 (PIA) --National Nutrition Council Calabarzon and Mimaropa headed by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Carina Z. Santiago presented various awards to the local government units and barangay nutrition scholars with exemplary performance in nutrition at the Heritage Hotel, Pasay City last December 6, 2013.

Outstanding cities and municipalities in the provinces and regions of Calabarzon and Mimaropa were conferred Green Banner Awards in line with their respective programs and advocacies in promoting good nutrition. Aside from Green Banner Awardees, Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars for 2012 were respectively awarded.

The municipalities of Atimonan, Quezon; Cuenca, Batangas, Kalayaan, Laguna; Tanza, Cavite and the City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna were given the Green Banner Award for 2013. Special Awards were also given out to Atimonan, Quezon as the Best performing Municipality in Calabarzon; Batangas Province as the Best Performing Province; Cabuyao City as the city with the lowest malnutrition prevalence rate and; Lobo, Batangas, Pagsanjan, Laguna and Sto. Tomas, Batangas as Municipalities with the lowest malnutrition prevalence rate. Brgy. Tagapo, Sta. Rosa City was also awarded as the Regional Outstanding Barangay in the Region.

Provincial Outstanding BNS awards were also given to Soledad D. Clamosa (Brgy. Daang Amaya II, Tanza, Cavite), Ma. Christie R. Balitaon (Brgy. Zone I-Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon), Merlita B. De Guzman (Brgy. San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal) and  Ronaldo J. Quilao (Brgy. Paciano Rizal, Bay, Laguna). Cecilia G. Santos (Brgy. Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City) was also awarded as Regional Outstanding BNS.

Several Calabarzon hospitals were also awarded for establishing functional lactation stations aiding in the promotion of breastfeeding in the region with the Laurel Memorial District Hospital as the first District Hospital to Establish a Functional Lactation Station; the Sto. Tomas General Hospital and CP Reyes Hospital as the as the first Private Hospitals to Establish lactation stations and; the Tanauan City Executive Building, Tanauan  City Legislative Building and Calamba City Hall as the first cities in Calabarzon to establish lactation stations.

Local chief executives and national government agencies from Calabarzon and Mimaropa were also present at the awarding ceremony to give support to their respective awardees. Laguna Governor E.R. Ejercito and Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director Josefina Castilla-Go also delivered commendations to the 2013 awardees. (GG-PIA4A)

-(www.http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2261388654909)