TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city, led by Mayor Darwin Estrañero, received the Green Banner Seal of Compliance during the 2024 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on October 17 at the Hotel Supreme in Baguio City.
The Green Banner Seal of Compliance is awarded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to local government units (LGUs) for their exemplary performance in the implementation of nutrition programs anchored on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition and contributing to improving the nutrition situation of the city.
The NNC stated that the award was given for LGUs with an average rating not lower than 60% per dimension and an overall rating of at least 85% using the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Protocol (MELLPI Pro) tool.
Leading the event, the NNC-Cordillera, with the Department of Health (DOH)-Cordillera, presented various awards to the different LGUs and other partner government institutions.
In a message, NNC-CAR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Bella Basalong acknowledged all the efforts of the different LGUs and government agencies in promoting and improving health and nutrition.
Tabuk also received an award for the commendable efforts in strengthening nutrition program service delivery to the communities by hiring permanent nutrition staff pursuant to EO 138 series of 2021 on full devolution of the NNC Memo series of 2021 regarding the creation of nutrition offices and the DOH-NNC Devolution Plan.
The province, together with the municipalities of Balbalan, Pasil, Pinukpuk, Rizal, and Tanudan, joined by Tabuk City, received recognition as the LGUs with a consistent decrease in the stunting prevalence from 2021-2023 and below 10% stunting prevalence among 0-59 month old children in 2023.
Also, Barangay Nutrition Scholar Mylene Sabado from Cabaritan, Tabuk City, and Virginia Palma from Pantikian, Balbalan, were recognized as finalists in the search for the 2023 Regional Outstanding Barangay Scholar.
Other municipal governments in Kalinga that received special awards for having below stunting prevalence in 2023 are Pinukpuk, Rizal, Tanudan, Balbalan, and Pasil.
Along with the city, the Balbalan also received the 2023 Green Banner Seal of Compliance.
The City Health Services Office led by Dr. Henrietta Bagayao and her team, together with the City Information Officer Aurora Amilig, accompanied the mayor during the awarding. Dr. Roselle Calma represented Balbalan and Kristal Dacio represented the province. By Ian Jefrey Addatu