Civil Service Commission Chairperson Karlo Nograles joined the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in awarding outstanding local government units (LGUs) and local nutrition focal points (LNFP) at the 2022 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held 20 March 2023 at the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel in Manila City.
In his keynote address, Chairperson Nograles congratulated the awardees for their exemplary performance and service that enabled successful implementation of crucial nutrition programs and nutrition management functions as the country strives to build back better.
Chairperson Nograles, who also headed the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger during his stint as Cabinet Secretary, expressed gratitude to the families of nutrition officers, barangay nutrition scholars, and barangay health workers, whose tireless support and motivation allowed these government workers to effectively deliver their duties.
“To all our nutrition action officers, nutrition program coordinators, barangay nutrition scholars, nutrition workers, and volunteers, you know that you remain the first line of defense against diseases and infections and you are the vital link of our communities to health providers and facilities, and ultimately the government. Thank you for the continued conduct of healthcare and nutrition services through day-to-day household visits, to reporting for duty even in areas of conflict and even during the pandemic, and for being our health advocates, we salute all of you…for taking on this heroic task…” he said.
Chair Nograles also echoed the sentiments of the nutrition workers in his speech as he stated “we know that there is so much that we need to do to address the gaps we have when it comes to our nutrition projects; and so with the legislators here present, I would like to appeal na sana sa panawagan ng lahat ng nandito ngayon na it is time to institutionalize in all local government units the items para sa ating mga nutrition workers.”
The annual awarding rites, led by Department of Health OIC-Secretary Dr. Maria Rosario S. Vergeire and NNC Executive Director Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, was also attended by awardees from LGUs, representatives from national government agencies, and members of the academe and non-government organizations.
Chairperson Nograles, who also headed the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger during his stint as Cabinet Secretary, expressed gratitude to the families of nutrition officers, barangay nutrition scholars, and barangay health workers, whose tireless support and motivation allowed these government workers to effectively deliver their duties.
“Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang pagsasabuhay ng ideolohiya ng kabutihan at malasakit sa kapwa, katapatan, at kahusayan upang magsilbing inspirasyon sa kapwa natin lingkod bayan. This is something you should continue to live by, be proud of, and celebrate,” he added.
Aside from trophies and certificates, cash prizes were given to the recipients of the following awards: Nutrition Honor Award and 2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition for LGUs; National Outstanding Provincial and City Nutrition Action Officers, National Outstanding City and District Nutrition Action Officers, and National Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar for LNFPs.
