Davao City, Philippines – The Davao City Health Office (CHO) was recently honored with multiple prestigious awards at the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony hosted by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region XI. These accolades recognize Davao City’s exceptional efforts in promoting health and nutrition across the region, marking significant achievements in community health programs.
The top honor awarded to the Davao City CHO was the 2023 Pag-Asa Award for achieving the highest Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus coverage among all provinces and highly urbanized cities. The OPT Plus program plays a crucial role in monitoring the nutritional status of children, especially those under five years old, by assessing their weight and height to identify cases of malnutrition and implement timely interventions. This award highlights Davao City’s comprehensive approach to monitoring and addressing child malnutrition within the city.
Additionally, the Davao City CHO was named a Regional Nutrition Green Banner Contender, acknowledging its leadership and consistent performance in implementing effective nutrition programs. This designation is given to local government units (LGUs) that demonstrate exceptional work in achieving improved nutritional outcomes within their communities.
The CHO also received the Green Banner Seal of Compliance for the first year, recognizing its adherence to the NNC’s high standards for local nutrition initiatives. The Green Banner Seal serves as a testament to the CHO’s commitment to effectively managing its programs and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.
The awards, presented by the NNC, aim to encourage LGUs to improve their nutritional practices and actively address malnutrition. Criteria for the awards include efficient management of nutrition programs, the involvement of community and government stakeholders, and measurable improvements in health and nutrition indicators.
Dr. Ashley Lopez, Davao City Health Officer, expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the office’s commitment to advancing public health and nutrition. “These awards inspire us to further strengthen our programs and partnerships to ensure a healthier future for Davao City’s communities,” Dr. Lopez stated.
The NNC’s initiative underscores the importance of robust local health programs in the fight against malnutrition, and Davao City’s achievements set a commendable example for other LGUs across the Philippines.
