BONTOC, Mountain Province – Winners in the “Search for the Healthiest Mother and Child 2025” received their cash prizes and certificates during the Flag Raising Ceremony on June 16, 2025, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol grounds.
Freda Awid and her son, Jehu Awid from Barangay Caneo, came in first place after scoring an average of 98%. As the champions, the mother and child received ₱4,500.
Second-placer Mae Vera Cadio and her child Richish Qali Ber of Barangay Tocucan garnered a 97% average and won ₱3,500.
With an average of 94%, Janice Endencio and her child Arjane Endencio from Barangay Caluttit landed in third place and received ₱2,000.
Sangguniang Bayan members Jupiter Jule Kalangeg and Glenn Bacala, together with Municipal Health Officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez, handed over the cash prizes and certificates to the winners.
The contest was initiated by the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through its Municipal Nutrition Council (MNC), with the Municipal Health Office (MHO) taking the lead.
Likewise, the contest is part of the lined-up activities of the Bontoc LGU in observance of Nutrition Month and was participated in by different barangays of Bontoc. It is to be noted that members of the MNC have been going around the barangays to conduct assessment, evaluation, and validation on various occasions or dates relative to the “Search for the Healthiest Mother and Child 2025.”
The Municipal Nutrition Evaluation Team included representatives from MHO, Municipal Planning and Development Office, Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, Municipal Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Health.
Nutrition Officer III Venous Faith Cofulan mentioned that the said undertaking is part of the government’s initiative to increase awareness of the value of proper nutrition in the first 1000 days of life in preventing malnutrition.
Also, the contest aims to raise community awareness and inculcate health and nutrition habits in children at an early age for healthy living. Further, it promotes health consciousness among mothers regarding different factors affecting the health of children and detecting ill health and sickness at early stages. By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay
