The town of EB Magalona, through its Municipal Nutrition Committee, received the 2021 Green Banner Seal of Compliance (GBSC) from the National Nutrition Council (NNC) at the 2022 Regional Awarding Ceremony in Iloilo City Nov. 23.
EB Magalona is one of the only two municipalities in Negros Occidental that won the GBSC, the other one is Hinobaan. The highly-urbanized Bacolod City, and Bago, Cadiz, Sagay, and Sipalay, all of Negros Occidental, were also among the awardees.
Mayor Marvin Malacon thanked the MNC, Municipal Health Office, Municipal Nutrition Program, and the barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) for their collective efforts in implementing interventions that have significant positive impact on the nutrition situation of the whole municipality.
“The health and well-being of our children is our priority. Our young people are our future leaders. We cannot afford to lose their dreams by losing the battle against malnutrition,” Malacon said.
The GBSC is given to local government units in recognition of their sustainable intervention programs to combat and eradicate malnutrition, especially among children.
This means that LGUs garnered an overall accomplishment rating of at least 85 percent in the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation that assesses the performance of the LGUs and nutrition workers.
Aside from the GBSC, Sally Jalbuena, a BNS of Barangay Batea in the town, was recognized as Outstanding Provincial BNS in the same ceremony. She was earlier chosen as Outstanding Municipal BNS of EB Magalona, a press release from the town said.
Malacon, chair of the MNC, was represented by Councilor Gilda Parcon during the awarding program. Also in attendance were Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edmundo Janeo Jr., Provincial Nutrition Council member Jessie Gumayan, Municipal Nutrition Program coordinator Adonis Auquico, Batea BNS Sally Jalbuena, and Ivy Joy Perez of the Batea Nurse Deployment Program.
The GBSC was awarded by NNC assistant secretary and executive director, Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, Regional Nutrition Committee program coordinator Reginaldo Guillen, and DILG6 local government operations officer Christian Nagaynay.
Meanwhile, two Saraviahanons won environment awards from the Provincial Environment Management Office at the awarding ceremony at Negros Residences in Bacolod City Nov. 22.
Glecenda Sacun, president of the Tomongtong Women Workers’ Association in Barangay Tomongtong, where the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail is situated, received the Abanse Babaye sa Dunang Manggad Award (ABDMA).
Rosario Dinaga, a Master Teacher II of EB Magalona Elementary School, was also one of the recipients of the Negros Occidental Governor Conservationist Achievement Award (NOGCAA) individual category. She is the adviser of the school’s Nature’s Keepers Club.
Sacun and Dinaga received their plaques of recognition from Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, and PEMO head Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio.
Both women advocates presented the town’s best practices during the evaluation and judging Oct. 14.
The municipality also vied for two other environment awards: the Abanse Negrense Good Environmental Governance Award (ANGEGA) Sustainability Level 2, and the NOGCAA Local Conservation Area category.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer-designate Jojo Vargas presented the town’s best practices, and highlighted the environmental programs, projects, activities, and initiatives.
The winners will be announced tomorrow, Nov. 24. ||
