REMAI ALEJADO
Provincial Press Bureau
Zamboanga del Sur has bested three other provinces in nutrition program implementation by winning the “2007 Outstanding Nutrition Program Implementer” and “Green Banner” awards.
DOH-Center for Health and Development regional director Aristedes Tan led the awarding rites at Hotel Alindahaw last Nov. 13 and was joined by RD Loreto Bhagwani of DILG and RTD Hernani Ovalo of the DA.
During the awarding ceremony, Gov. Aurora Cerilles said she would maintain or outdo the present performance.
“I am pleased and grateful for this,” Cerilles said about the award as she thanked all the town mayors for the effort in helping carry on the initiatives against malnutrition in the province.
Cerilles said the need to heighten good health and nutrition in ZamboSur is integrated in her Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan for 2008-2010.
“This is one of my lasting legacies that I can leave behind to Zambosurians when my term ends,” Cerilles declared.
To date, the province has been vigorous in putting into practice the use of iodine salt in cooking—reinforcing these with backyard gardening to every houselhold, telling them to plant malunggay.
Two other tasks dealt with the promotion of breastfeeding by mothers to their newborn infant and enrolling indigent family members in PhilHealth under the Province-wide Investment Plan for Health.
Pagadian City and Margosatubig coveted two other awards, respectively: “Outstanding City” and “Provincial Outstanding Municipality.”
Margosatubig mayor George Minor and City Administrator Rufino Amor, who stood in behalf of Mayor Samuel Co, received the award.
Mayor Teresita Famor of Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay took the Crown Maintenance Award for the second year while Vilma Baring of Villa Hermosa, Polanco, ZamboNorte was cited as “Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar.”