Great LGUs in nutrition program honored (Sun.Star,Tuesday, October 02, 2007)

Great LGUs in nutrition program honored

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) 3 here through its committee recently recognized outstanding officials and local government units (LGUs) that have contributed outstanding performance to the government's program for good nutrition.

In awarding rites held at the Benigno Ninoy Aquino Hall at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol grounds, the RNC awarding ceremony featured the conference of Provincial and Regional Green Banner awards given to municipal and city nutrition committees that have formulated tangible plans to combat malnutrition in their areas of jurisdiction for three consecutive years.

According to RNC director Josefina Castilla-Go, the recognition of local councils would better uplift the standard of nutrition in the country.

"The government cannot aspire to see a country that is productive if its population is deprived of the basic needs in nutrition," Go said.

Gracing the occasion are San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio, Local Government Provincial Director Josefina Castilla-Go, Aurora Governor Bellaflor Castilllo, Mayor Anastacia Vistan of Plaridel, Bulacan and city and municipal nutrition councils from all across the region.

Castillo, awarded most outstanding governor in the Philippines, said nutrition should be the major concern of local government units.

She said Central Luzon is rich in resources but despite of this, it still has a high malnutrition rate.

"In our province we believe that a healthy population is the backbone of a strong nation. Aurora despite being among one of the top 20 poorest provinces, still manages to get awards in nutrition," Castillo said regarding the Green Banner Award that was conferred to the province.

Panlilio supported Castillo's statement in the present state of nutrition in the region.

"We are in a community that is dependent on food production, yet we have people who are hungry and deprived of basic food needs," said the Pampanga governor.

Green banner awardees include the municipalities of Abucay, Bataan; Plaridel, Bulacan; Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Lubao, Pampanga; Anao, Tarlac; and Candelaria, Zambales.

Outstanding Green Banner award was bagged by the City of San Fernando, which ranked second place to San Jose City. Gapan, Nueva Ecija was awarded the outstanding city in the region.